The Arsenal striker Angie Banks has decided to take a break from international f

The Arsenal striker Angie Banks has decided to take a break from international football. Her decision comes just weeks before England are due to play Nigeria in an international friendly and two months before England enter the vital World Cup play-offs.

Banks has accumulated 18 caps and scored four goals in her international career spanning three years. She cites her fear of flying and the desire to focus on her club career as the reasons for her decision.

"I've decided to make a break from international football for a number of reasons," Banks told TheFA.com.

"There are a growing number of demands on a player's time now with England and I feel that I am not giving my full focus to my international career. This is because I have a number of personal commitments and also I really do not like flying, which is becoming more of a problem with England playing more away games and in tournaments.

"I want to concentrate on my club career with Arsenal and it wouldn't be fair on England with me worrying about the flight to a country, rather than focussing on how I am going to play. I've not achieved everything I wanted to at international level and some people may say this is a difficult time to take a break, but I feel I wouldn't be giving my full focus to England if I was to carry on."

National Women's Coach Hope Powell has left the door open for Banks should she change her decision.

Tickets are on sale now for the England versus Nigeria game being played at Carrow Road, Norwich City FC, on Tuesday July 23rd with an 8.05pm kick-off. Tickets for the match, at £3 for adults, £1 concessions and £5 for a family ticket, are available from the ticket hotline on 0870 444 1902.