Rhys Williams says the decision for him to come off before the final whistle for the first time this season was not because of an injury sustained on Australian national team duty recently.
The 23-year old midfielder was subbed in the 77th minute of Middlesbrough's 2-2 draw with Blackpool on Saturday, marking the first time he failed to play all 90 minutes in 15 appearances this campaign, but he insists it was simply from cramp and not anything more sinister.
"That was nothing to do with a slight injury I picked up with Australia. That was just bruising and I trained in Bangkok before the last game anyway," he told the club's official website referring to the Socceroos' World Cup qualifiers in Oman and Thailand last week.
"This it was just a little cramp, maybe the flight caught up with me, I don't know. I didn't want to come off, but I did that for the team."
Williams has been hampered by an ongoing pelvic injury in recent months but he says he is as motivated as ever to mix club duties with country obligations.
"I feel fine. I could do with a break soon, but I love playing football for both club and country and long may it continue," he added.
