Brown visited England's team hotel in Watford on Sunday night and told manager Fabio Capello he no longer wishes to be involved despite his call-up for Wednesday's friendly. "Wes Brown has this evening announced his retirement from international football," read a statement from the FA. "He came to the England team hotel this evening to meet with and tell Fabio Capello in person." The news brings to an end a 23-cap career which began against Hungary in 1999. Injury continually prevented Brown from showing his best form for his country, although he was part of the 2002 World Cup squad in Japan and South Korea, but did not actually play a game. The 30-year-old started in Capello's first two games in charge against Switzerland and France, but injury took hold once more before the Italian masterminded England's passage to this summer's Finals in South Africa. More problems meant Brown did not figure in Capello's 30-man provisional squad or the final 23, the right-back role going instead to Glen Johnson, with Liverpool's Jamie Carragher controversially called up as back up. After not being involved in today's Community Shield victory over Chelsea, presumably Brown felt there was little merit in pursuing an international career while his place at Manchester United is so fragile and therefore took the option he felt was best. Coming on the same day Paul Robinson also decided to concentrate on club matters at Blackburn, it leaves Capello looking slightly red faced. The Italian is yet to decide whether to call up replacements for either man, with a clear lack of communication evident with the fringe men he did pick. Youngsters Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs do represent a statement about England's future but Capello will need to be sure in his own mind he has enough experience to carry England towards Euro 2012 qualification and the loss of both Brown and Robinson is a setback in that regard.
