Niclas - No Swede Stand Down

Niclas Alexandersson has insisted that he has not announced his retirement from international football.

The Blues winger has not been selected for Sweden・s Euro 2004 qualifier against Hungary next month and he admitted to a Swedish publication that he had spoken to manager Lars Lagerback about the situation.

However, Niclas is insisting that when he said: ．I might have played my last international,； he was only being ．realistic・ and he was not quitting the international stage.

The 30-year old has been forced out of the first team reckoning at Goodison Park and hasn・t started a match since September 2002, which has obviously inhibited his opportunities to impress the Swedish coaches.

However, he insisted to evertonfc.tv that his comments should be taken as any sort of international football retirement.

：It is incorrect to say that I have retired from international football,； he said. ：I have spoken to the national coach and if I am selected for Sweden in the future, then I will play.；