Saturday 20 September 2014 14:39, UK
Phil Jagielka says 'it is not a nice feeling' being left out in the cold by England manager Roy Hodgson and now fears for his international future.
The Everton captain was made one of the scapegoats after England's woeful World Cup display in Brazil which saw them exit the tournament after picking up just one point from their three group matches.
His partnership with Gary Cahill was broken up by Hodgson, with Jagielka demoted to the bench for the opening European Qualifier against Switzerland.
Phil Jones took his place for that 2-0 victory in Basel and Jagielka admits it was painful to be the only player dropped from the side.
If he (Roy Hodgson) is looking to build for the future, that can work against me, but if you start looking too deeply at things, it is not going to do me any favours.
Now at 32 he does not feel that time is on his side with new blood coming through at international level.
"I am not particularly confident," he told The Independent. "It is up to the manager and all I can do is play well for Everton. I don't feel the World Cup has left a mark. It is an obvious assumption to make because it has not been great.
"It does not feel nice, that is the easiest way of saying it, but the [England] manager has a job to do. If he is looking to build for the future, that can work against me, but if you start looking too deeply at things, it is not going to do me any favours."
When asked if he had spoken to Hodgson about his place, Jagielka replied: "What is there to speak about? It is the manager who picks the team and I am not going to demand reasons for not playing.
"A lot of people could do that for England. That is not what it is about. We are part of a team and, if the manager makes a decision, you stick by it. Phil Jones at Manchester United is an up-and-coming talent bought for a lot of money. If you are looking at tournaments ahead, it’s good for them to get the experience."
