Friday 20 March 2015 17:31, UK
Paul Ince has refuted claims that his son Thomas has snubbed the England Under-21s, insisting he has to make a "selfish" decision for the good of his career.
The 23-year-old Hull attacker is currently enjoying a successful loan at Championship promotion-chasers Derby but this week told U-21s boss Gareth Southgate that he does not wish to be considered for this summer’s European Championships.
Ince has played for five different clubs inside a year and his father believes he needs a settled period of club football after enduring the career of a "nomad".
“To say that Thomas has actually snubbed England is wrong because he’s proven over the last four years that he’s been there for the U-21s, even when he’s been to Croatia and played only five minutes,” Ince said.
“It’s always difficult when there’s a European Championship coming up; he’s been part of it for so many years and enjoyed it under Gareth. Thomas has played 18, 19 times for the U-21s, which is quite a lot.
“His attitude has been spot on. But sometimes you have to be selfish in life and he’s got to think about his own long-term future. It was a tough decision for him but I think it’s the right one.
“Over the last year he has been a bit stop-start. He’s moved from Blackpool to Crystal Palace, to Hull, to Nottingham Forest and now Derby. It’s important to stabilise yourself somewhere. He’s been here, there and everywhere – like a nomad.
“Next year it’s important, wherever he’s going to be, which will hopefully be at Hull, that he starts sustaining his place in the first-team because it’s the Premier League – it’s your bread and butter.
“He needs to think about himself and the future of his career. It’s not going to be with England U-21s or the seniors, it’s going to be a club level and the next things will follow on – England is a bonus.”
