Chelsea legend John Terry rules out playing for England national team

Former England Striker John Terry in action. [PHOTO: COURTESY]

John Terry has snubbed the chance to play for England after an approach by new boss Sam Allardyce.

John Terry was sounded out over a return to the Three Lions' camp with Allardyce set to name his first squad on Sunday evening.

But he feels his days as an international player have gone – and he wants to concentrate on his career with the Blues. Terry is 36 in December and wants to focus on staying in Antonio Conte's Chelsea side

The former England captain, who won 78 caps between 2002-2012, turned down the chance of a potential return, saying his days at the England team national team are over.

Allardyce has always been a big fan of Terry and would have considered him as a short-term measure if the occasion demanded.

But while being fiercely patriotic, the player believes his career will be better served trying to restore Chelsea to the top four under their new boss Antonio Conte.

Terry made his last appearance for England just under four years ago, in a 5-0 World Cup qualifying win in Moldova.

Allardyce made the move to bring him back with the Three Lions currently suffering a mini centre-back crisis.

With Manchester United star Chris Smalling only playing a couple of minutes in their first three matches of the season, Allardyce only has Gary Cahill and John Stones from the Euro 2016 squad.

And that’s why he’s likely to call up Everton's 34-year-old skipper Phil Jagielka for the Slovakia trip.

Phil Jagielka is in line for a recall with England short of bodies at centre-back

United full-back Luke Shaw and Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater are also set for recalls, in a squad that will feature few real surprises.

Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend is in Big Sam’s plans, along with Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but veteran Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe could miss out unless Allardyce, his club manager just over a month ago, is left with injury problems after this weekend’s games.

Allardyce will confirm Wayne Rooney as his England captain when he meets up with the squad for the first time on Monday.

He has been impressed by the soundings he’s taken within the FA about the role of the Manchester United star while on international duty.

Rooney is set to retain the armband as he closes in on England's caps record

Rooney, 30, never considered stepping down after the disappointment of European Championship last-16 elimination by tiny Iceland and wants to continue with his country along the road to Russia 2018.The club and country skipper has already been named the greatest all-time England goal-scorer with 53 goals in 115 games.