Jonjo Shelvey insists he did not reject the chance to play for England and says it is every boy's dream to represent his country, reports Sky Sports.

"I didn't refuse to play for my country. I've always made myself available and if I didn't make myself available my dad would've killed me," the Swansea midfielder said.

"A lot of it has been rumours. I spoke to Gareth Southgate and he rung me and said by the time the Euros came around he didn't expect me to be involved with them (U21s) anyway.

"I have always made myself available for my country, it's every boy's dream to play for their country at any level and I have never turned my back on my country."

Shelvey made his international debut against the European minnows as a second-half substitute almost three years ago and he admits to feeling a sense of deja-vu.

"It seems every time I get called up it's against San Marino. I just want to get a start, hopefully I can get one and then it's down to me to cement my place in the squad," he added.