Foster taking 'break' from international football

Birmingham and England goalkeeper Ben Foster said on Wednesday that 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.