Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher will not return to international football, according to England manager Steve McClaren.

The centre-back has deliberated long and hard over his original decision to ask not to be considered for his country.

McClaren made a personal visit to Liverpool's training ground on Monday for a face-to-face meeting with Carragher but the player declined a request to change his mind.

"I met Jamie on Monday and had a very good conversation but unfortunately he's stayed with the decision to not be involved with us," said McClaren today.

"We respect that, Jamie has been a fantastic servant for England. I won't close the door, who knows in the future."

McClaren also admitted Sol Campbell could return to the England team.   "I'm not ruling out anybody at the moment," he said.

The manager admits losing Wayne Rooney to injury is "a big blow" but believes his squad can cope without the Manchester United striker.

The 21-year-old is out for two months after suffering a hairline fracture of his left foot in United's opening Premier League game against Reading and will miss the friendly against Germany and more importantly the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia.

McClaren accepts Rooney is a key player but sees no reason why the team cannot still get the right results in his absence.

"It's a blow because he was looking so fit and well in pre-season, so obviously it's a big blow. He is an important player for England and I was disappointed to get the phone call but by Monday morning I had to move on. We have always had to do that in the past and we'll do it again.

"We had a positive summer against Albania (a B international), Brazil (a friendly) and Estonia (a qualifier) where we gave fringe players a game, and we did that without Wayne."  Agencies