I’d never turn my back on country
JONJO SHELVEY returns to the England fold determined to put straight the suggestion he once snubbed his country by refusing to play for the Under- 21s.
The Swansea midfi elder says the claims come from a misunderstanding with Under- 21 coach Gareth Southgate and that he would have his dad Ricky to answer to if he ever turned his back on England.
“I can assure you that I have never refused to play for England in my whole life and if I did, my dad would kill me,” said Shelvey, 23.
“I remember what I think the mix- up was. When Gareth Southgate took over he made a phone call to me. We were playing a lot of Europa League games at the time and he said to me, ‘ By the time the Euros come round I don’t expect you to be with the Under- 21s’. He said he expected me to be with the seniors and that is where it got mixed up.
“Then I got off the phone and sent a text to Gareth Southgate saying if I am not, then I am available to play. I would never turn my back on my country.
“I always want to play and if I had hair my dad would literally rip it off if I ever refused. So I get a bit of upset when it keeps getting mentioned in the press. Stuart Pearce said something about it on Sky Sports the other day.
“I was in bed at the time and I was a bit upset really because that isn’t me and I can assure you on my daughter’s life that I have never, ever refused to play for my country.”
Shelvey made his international debut from the bench against San Marino almost three years ago and is be hoping to feature again as England take on the minnows on Saturday.