Anthony Pilkington has revealed that he requested to be excused from international duty with the Republic of Ireland in order to focus on work at Cardiff City.
The 27-year-old spent much of last season on the sidelines with injury, and has revealed how he discussed dropping out of the Republic squad to face England and Scotland with national head coach Martin O'Neill in the summer.
"I spoke to Martin before the squads were picked and had a lengthy chat about things," he told reporters. "I wanted to drop out because I hadn't been fit. I'd missed a lot of games and although I was back by the end of the season I hadn't been starting and I knew I had to look long-term.
"I was looking towards this season because I knew I had to get myself right for Cardiff – they are the ones that pay my wages and I had to get that right first. Martin agreed that it wouldn't benefit me going into the new season and for the sake of one or two games I could really get myself right and make sure I could be fully fit for the whole season.
"I'd not even had a full pre-season in the last four years of my career, so I wanted to make sure I was ready for it, that I could be able to go through all the sessions and fitness work unscathed to be right for the season ahead. I knew it would set me up for a full season of fitness."
Pilkington, who has eight caps to his name, signed for Cardiff from Norwich City in August 2014 and has since scored two goals in 28 appearances.
Miles Jolliffe
