Foster, 28, who has been England's number two behind Joe Hart since last year's World Cup. -AFP Photo

LONDON: Birmingham and England goalkeeper Ben Foster said on Wednesday he is taking an indefinite break from international football in order to concentrate on his club career.

Foster, 28, who has been England's number two behind Joe Hart since last year's World Cup, said a series of injuries had persuaded him to take a sabbatical from international football.

“Performing at the highest level game in, game out, and particularly when there's been as many matches as there have been this season, really takes it out of your body,” Foster told Birmingham's official website.

“It's no secret that I've had a few niggling injuries and that I've had to pull out of the past few England squads because of that.

“I've enjoyed my time with England and am certainly not closing a door on the international side of things forever but this is the right thing for me to do right now in terms of club football.”

Birmingham are currently battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League, where they are in 16th place, three points clear of the drop zone with two games remaining.

Opinion

Editorial

A hasty retreat
Updated 28 Nov, 2024

A hasty retreat

Govt should not extend its campaign of violence against PTI and its leaders, thinking it now has the upper hand. Enough is enough.
Lebanon truce
28 Nov, 2024

Lebanon truce

WILL it hold? That is the question many in the Middle East and beyond will be asking after a 60-day ceasefire ...
MDR anomaly removed
28 Nov, 2024

MDR anomaly removed

THE State Bank’s decision to remove its minimum deposit rate requirement for conventional banks on deposits from...
Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...