• Blackburn keeper retired two years ago after winning 41 caps
• 'I can benefit more from staying with my own team'
Paul Robinson has credited a decision to quit international football with his improvement "as a person and as a player" and insists he has no desire to return to the England fold despite Fabio Capello's departure as manager.
The former England No1 has been in fine form for Blackburn Rovers and kept a second successive clean sheet as Steve Kean's side edged further away from the relegation zone with victory over Sunderland on Tuesday. Robinson could provide experienced cover for Joe Hart at the European Championship this summer but, two years after retiring from England duty in frustration at being demoted to "a number three or four keeper", the 32-year-old admits there are no regrets over his international exile.
Robinson said: "It has definitely helped me as a person and as a player [being away from the England scene]. I've been out of that for a while now and it has helped me enjoy my football. I love playing my football here. I love being part of the team and the club's set-up and there is nothing to change at the moment.
"There is nothing else to worry about. That is the main reason I retired from international football. I can recharge the batteries more. I'm 32 and feel I can benefit more from staying with my own team, working on my own game and maybe having a rest when needed rather than training every day and having to sit and watch a game that I'm not involved in."
The former Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur player was ever-present for England at the 2006 World Cup but won the last of his 41 caps in 2007 against Russia and fell out of favour following the failure to qualify for Euro 2008 under Steve McClaren. Ben Foster and Robert Green were both preferred by Capello to Robinson, and the Rovers keeper insists his outlook has not changed following the Italian's exit.
"It's not about there being too many bad memories in the past," he added. "I'm enjoying playing for Blackburn Rovers and I'm concentrating on that. There hasn't been any contact [with England]. I'm just concentrating on keeping Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League."
Robinson also believes the responsibility of the Rovers captaincy, handed to him by Kean following the sale of Chris Samba, has contributed to his impressive season. The Blackburn goalkeeper said: "I'm enjoying my football and really enjoying the role of captain. I think that might have given me more of a lift and I'm in a good run of form at the moment, as is the team. It always helps when the team is playing well. I do feel as though I've been around for ever but I'm only 32 so, in goalkeeping terms, I've still got a few years left in me. Hopefully I'm coming into my prime now. There is always time for development and hopefully I can get better."