Ian Westlake has set the record straight over his decision to put club before country.
The Ipswich Town midfielder has decided to rule himself out of the forthcoming England Under-21 matches against Wales and Azerbaijan.
But he stressed it was a joint-decision with Blues boss Joe Royle and not, as some reports suggested, a case of his manager blocking him.
Westlake told the Gazette: "It was very much a joint decision. I requested a chat with the manager and he said he wouldn't stand in my way, whatever I decided.
"But he did say I hadn't played as well as I did last season - something I already knew."
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Wednesday, October 6, 2004
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