Robert Green says the stitching on his gloves, reading 'England's No 6', was just a joke and not aimed at Three Lions boss Fabio Capello.
And it appears that the player's glove manufacturers think the same way after ironically having 'England's No 6' stitched into his latest pair, worn in the 1-1 draw with Birmingham on Saturday.
Green was repeatedly overlooked for the national squad by ex-boss Steve McClaren, but contrary to expectations the trend continued under new boss Fabio Capello.
"My glove manufacturer was having a laugh on my behalf," said Green of the personalised addition to the garment, before stressing that it wasn't a personal dig at Capello.
"(The glove maker's) been to games, heard the banter with the crowd and thought it would be funny to have 'England's No 6' on my gloves. I wasn't having a go at anyone. If it is anyone, it is against myself."
Nevertheless, the former Norwich City keeper hasn't ruled out gaining an international call-up in the future: "All I can do is play well and hope," he said.
