Jamie Carragher has told England Head Coach Steve McClaren he's considering his international future.

The Liverpool defender, who has made 34 appearances for his country since his debut against Hungary in 1999, is contemplating retiring from the England scene but will meet again with McClaren before the Three Lions face Germany on 22 August.

"There are a number of reasons why I’ve been thinking about this," Carragher told the Liverpool Echo.

"I first thought about it after the World Cup because I wondered how many chances I’d get for England at centre half.

"Then when Sol Campbell was out of the picture I thought I could put pressure on Rio Ferdinand for the other centre half position alongside John Terry. Given my form for Liverpool, I genuinely thought that was possible, but over the last 12 months players like Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King have played there ahead of me.

"I can’t really argue with that because they’re top drawer players. It’s not as if they’re Mickey Mouse defenders. Even in the last two games against Brazil and Estonia, England conceded just one goal, so people can argue the manager got his decision spot on.

"It’s just that from a purely personal point of view, it’s been disappointing because after some of my performances for Liverpool I thought I deserved a chance. I hoped I could come in, play out of my skin and do well enough to keep my place not just for one game or two, but cement it.

"It was particularly disappointing for me when Rio was out against Estonia and I wasn’t picked. I thought I’d had a good season for Liverpool, especially helping us get to the Champions League Final. Like any player I thought I deserved to play, but not doing so made the situation crystal clear to me.

"Everyone can see England are very strong in the central defensive department at the moment. There are a lot of world class players there and most of them are younger than me, have their best years ahead and will get better and better.

"I’m 29 now, and I have to accept if I’m not a regular starter now, I don’t think I ever will be. It’s going to be difficult for me to be seen as anything more than a squad player, and at this stage of my career that’s not what I’m interested in.

"Playing the odd game here and there isn’t enough. Four or five years ago I was happy to have that role, but not now. Recently when I’ve been asked to play at full back I’ve found it a lot more difficult than I did when was doing it for Liverpool.

"It’s a physically demanding position and I didn’t think I played well against Brazil. It’s more tiring than being a centre back, particularly when you’re not as used to it as I used to be.

"I think it would be a good time for me to step aside. Some of the younger defenders deserve their chance, like Joleon Lescott at Everton, or Steven Taylor from Newcastle."

"If it’s an absolute emergency – and by that I mean if all available centre halves are out injured or there are suspensions - I probably won’t say no if I’m asked," said Carragher.

"I’m not doing this to leave England in the lurch."

"I want to stress this has nothing do with Steve McClaren.

"It wouldn’t have mattered who was the England manager, I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I’ve worked with Steve for five years as part of the England set-up. I have a great time working with him and a lot of the England coaches.

"I’m just thinking about this from a purely personal point of view. The reason I’m delaying a final decision is because I didn’t want people to think I have a bad attitude or I’m turning my back on the country at a bad time.

"When you go away with England you get back to Liverpool on a Thursday and sometimes have a match early on Saturday," he said.

"I’ve never liked the situation where I’ve not felt 100 per cent before a Liverpool match. Even if you don’t play in the international, going away and travelling can take it out of you. Leaving all that behind would be another reason for my decision and I’ll be happier when those breaks come around and I’ll be fresher for the Liverpool matches.

"Liverpool has always been my first priority, and having just signed a new four year contract I want all my focus to be on the club, winning trophies here from now on. I’ve always said I want to stay at Liverpool for life, and I think not playing for England would help make that more realistic. It could add at least two more years on my career at the top level, and that’s uppermost in my mind."