Niall Quinn offered to quit international football after Ireland's Euro 2000 playoff defeat by Turkey, he said yesterday. But the 33-year-old, capped 72 times, was talked out of retirement by Irish manager Mick McCarthy.
Quinn has now set his sights on beating Frank Stapleton's record of 20 goals for Ireland. He has 19.
Quinn said: "Tony Cascarino decided to retire from international football and I had a brief chat with Mick McCarthy to tell him I didn't want to embarrass him into having to drop me.
"I thought he might have it in mind to start afresh with a younger group of players for the World Cup qualifiers next year but he made it very clear that I was an important part of his plans.
"He said he will need experienced people around when he's trying to pick up the pieces in the new year. If I can stay in the squad at least I'll have another chance at equalling Frank's scoring record."