James Milner hints at international retirement with England

Liverpool midfielder James Milner has suggested that he could call time on his international career with England after failing to gain regular playing time.

The 30-year-old, who has been capped 61 times for the Three Lions, featured for just three minutes in the European Championship finals earlier this summer.

With a number of young players now knocking on the door for a squad place, Milner believes that it might be time to step aside after 15 years' service from Under-16s through to the senior side.

"Over the last couple of years with the England team I have not really played too much," he told the Liverpool Echo. "With the good young players we have coming through, it is pointless me taking up a spot just because I am reliable.

"I am fortunate to have been involved in international football since I was 17 or 18 without stopping. I was with the Under-21s and went through so I have played more than 100 games.

"I've been to four tournaments but if a younger guy had come in and maybe done the same job at Euro 2016, he would have taken a lot more from it than I did."

Milner, who was also part of the World Cup 2010 and 2014 squads, was the third-most capped player for England in France behind Wayne Rooney (115) and Joe Hart (63).