Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster today put club before country and stunned England by announcing his decision to take a temporary break from international football.

Foster has won five England caps having made his debut in England’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in 2007, but was overlooked by Capello for the 2010 World Cup.

The 28-year-old keeper has struggled to oust Manchester City stopper Joe Hart as England’s No 1 and his most recent appearance came in the 2-1 defeat to France at Wembley last November.

And Foster, who spent time on loan at Stafford Rangers and Kidderminster Harriers in 2004, has now decided to turn his back on his country to concentrate his club career.

He said: “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.

“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 spoken to the management team and coaches here at Blues and told them what I want to do.

“But it’s also very important that I say just how much I have loved playing for England and being part of the set-up.”

Foster was at pains to stress, though, that the break from international football is only a temporary one and he will consider making himself available again when he feels the time is right.

He said: “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.

“Inevitably every time I’ve had the opportunity to give my body a rest there has been an international fixture and the demands that come with that.

“In Joe Hart, England have a goalkeeper who is extremely talented and a top guy and he is an excellent custodian for the national side to have. I have no doubt he is going to go on to be one of the greatest.

“But this is the right decision for me, as I want to prolong my club career for as long as possible.”