Shelvey - I Never Refused To Play For Under-21s
Wednesday, 2nd Sep 2015 14:50 by Planet Swans (follow us on Twitter @swansnews)

Jonjo Shelvey faced the media this afternoon as England held their press conference ahead of the weekend clash with San Marino with the Swans midfielder keen to deny reports that he had refused to play for the Under-21s.

Stuart Pearce, the former England Under-21 manager stated earlier in the week that he did not think Shelvey should be in the England squad because he had refused to play for the Under-21 side at some stage in the past, something that Shelvey says is not true

"I never refused to play for them and I never would," he said "Gareth Southgate has spoken to me and explained that I wouldn't be involved as I was taking a step up to the senior side."

Shelvey is hotly tipped to play in the role vacated by the injury to Jack Wilshire against both San Marino and Switzerland and he would have a big part to play if that was the case. It is something though that we know he is capable of doing having watched him create more chances in the Premier League this season than any other English player.

Shelvey could well be the answer to what England miss all too often on the international stage and he certainly does deserve the call up that he currently has

"I would play anywhere for my country, it's an honour to be here and it's ever boy's dream" he added.

England need just one win to secure their qualification for next summer and that should come on Saturday against the minnows of San Marino "It would take the pressure off if we win the first game and will be a good stepping stone for Switzerland

"Roy has spoke about winning all ten qualification games in the team meeting and we know that we can do it"

Shelvey knows as well that he could be part of history with Wayne Rooney just two goals short of being his country's leading scorer of all time but that is not at the forefront of the team's mind "The players don't talk about records. For me Wayne is the best English player and it speaks volumes about him that he is going for the record.

"He won't want that on his shoulders for long and if I can give him the chance to get it I will."

Photo: Action Images

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