Ryan Shawcross pessimistic about England future

Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross has admitted that his chances of playing for England again are probably over.

The 28-year-old defender has not been included in a squad since playing 16 minutes on his debut against Sweden in November 2012, and he concedes that impressive form for Stoke is unlikely to persuade Roy Hodgson to hand him a recall.

"It's been difficult to accept that I haven't had another opportunity in the squad," Shawcross is quoted as saying by The Mirror "It's not something that I allow to impact on me anymore, though, because it is something that is well and truly out of my hands.

"I don't look at the squads anymore because I presume that I'm nowhere near it and I'm not going to get in.

"I feel I've played my best football under the manager here and I have still been nowhere near being included. All I can do is keep working hard, keep enjoying my time here and then what will be, will be."

Shawcross, who was raised in Flintshire, has rejected the chance to play for Wales.