Stoke City skipper Ryan Shawcross has explained committing his international future to England over Wales.

The 25-year-old, who was handed his first call-up by Fabio Capello in 2010, could have had the opportunity to represent Wales but insisted chose England.

"When I was a schoolboy, I played for Wales because I went to school in Wales but when I turned 16, there was a rule that said I couldn't play for Wales," he said.

"But in recent months, that rule changed and I could play for Wales again. But I decided years ago I wanted to play for England and I spoke to Chris Coleman, and Gary Speed before that, and made it clear that I wanted to play for England, so there was never any choice really."