Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has stood by his decision to fly to Qatar after pulling out of the England squad.
The 34-year-old was called up by Roy Hodgson for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.
However, he turned down the chance to add to his 81 caps due to his detailed pre-planned training and medical programme for his long-standing back injury.
Ferdinand was then criticised in some quarters after it emerged he was flying to Doha on a 15-hour round trip to appear as a pundit for Al Jazeera Sport television for the San Marino match.
But he said: "I met the boss in London and we spoke about my regime and (I'm doing) what I've done at the last few international breaks - the same.
"I was pencilled in to have certain treatments, had them and then I've come away to have some rest time and to recuperate and get myself ready.
"I think obviously the situation with myself and the national team is well documented.
"But this isn't something that I'm doing differently. This is something I've done in past international get-togethers when I've not been involved.
"I've had a course of treatment that I've had to have and then to go and rest and get ready and recuperate - and that's what I've continued to do."
Ferdinand has not given up hope of appearing for England in the future and revealed he is still very much a part of Hodgson's plans.
"He made it very clear that he'll consider me for the next squads and that will be fantastic," he said.
Ferdinand added he had cleared the trip with United before flying out.
"I spoke to the club and the club doctors and the physios who have helped me organise the regime that I'm on. But ultimately it was spelled out for us anyway," he said.
The fight reportedly left another man in a coma, the Foreign Office said.
Reports in Italy say that the 21-year-old man was arrested on Thursday night after a fight outside the Bounty pub in Bologna, 75 miles (120km) from the enclave republic where England's World Cup qualifying match takes place.
Local newspaper La Repubblica reported that a 65-year-old England fan was in a coma in hospital after having major surgery on a head injury.
A Foreign office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm the arrest of a British national in Italy on 21 March. We are providing consular assistance."
La Repubblica reported that a group of at least seven football fans, who had been drinking, started fighting outside the pub in the Via delle Moline. They described the 65-year-old defending himself with a bar stool before being punched and then hitting his head on the ground as he fell.
England take on the part-time minnows of San Marino at the Stadio Olimpico, before Tuesday's crucial trip to Montenegro.
Long conceded just three goals in six League One games all month and was man of the match in a 0-0 home draw with Leyton Orient.
Long said: "I would not have believed it if someone had asked me in pre-season that I would have played as many games as I have this season but I like to take it in my stride and keep my consistency levels up.
"My ambition this season is to get promotion - I want to get that first before talking about anything else."
Blades boss Danny Wilson added: "George has been brilliant and his temperament is unquestionable.
"He is learning more with every game he plays and goalkeeping coach Darren Ward has done an excellent job with him, his shot-stopping is certainly up there with the best in the country."
