Aston Villa's Luke Young rejects England call-up

Aston Villa defender Luke Young has rejected the chance to replace Liverpool defender Glen Johnson in the England squad and confirmed his retirement from international football.

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Luke Young: No longer has England aspirations

• Names agreed for 'whereabouts' testing

It is understood Young informed the FA around the time of the Spain friendly in February that he would concentrate on club football after being on the periphery of the squad and earning seven caps in four years. The 30-year-old right-back was in the original squad for the defeat in Seville but did not travel after picking up a toe injury.

A slight knock led to Johnson returning to Liverpool for treatment this week and left England boss Fabio Capello with just Wes Brown as cover at right-back. It is thought an enquiry was made over whether Young was still unavailable, rather than a case of the former Tottenham and Charlton full-back rejecting a call-up for the trip to face Brazil in Qatar on Saturday.

Young also said this week that he has found it difficult following the death of his half-brother earlier in the season. The 17-year-old died while on holiday in August and Young says the minute's silence for Remembrance Sunday ahead of Villa's 5-1 win over Bolton brought back the emotions.

"It was quite emotional," he said. "In the first few weeks after what happened, I didn't really want to do anything. It was really tough. Then you come in and train hard and it gives you something else to think about. Now it's a long time gone and I'm ready to focus on my football."