Luke Young quit international football as he "didn't get taken too seriously" by a number of England coaches. The Aston Villa defender opted not to make himself available for his country earlier in the season but has kept quiet on his reason why - until now.

The 30-year-old became frustrated at acting as cover for the likes of Gary Neville, Micah Richards and latterly Glen Johnson.

Young said: "I pretty much got picked for one squad every 10 when someone was injured. When I used to turn up I used to sit in the stands.

"I didn't really get taken too seriously. When I originally got in the squad in 2005 I really wanted to give it a go.

"For whatever reason, I faded out after playing a few games and now feel like my best days are behind me."

Young has ruled out any chance of him changing his mind ahead of the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

He said: "I am 31 in the summer so I am hardly going to have a four or five-year career with England looking ahead.

"Maybe it's time for a younger player to come in and stake his claim."