UGO EHIOGU last night revealed he is so sick of being overlooked for the England set-up he is not allowing his non-selection to affect him anymore.

The Middlesbrough centre-back was a notable absentee from the latest squad announced by Sven-Goran Eriksson on Sunday for the European Championship qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Turkey.

But instead of being deflated over his exclusion, in form Ehiogu admits it has happened on so many occasions that he now just focuses on the job in hand at Boro.

"Not playing for England was a major, major bone of contention for me," said the 30-year-old, whose international career now looks to be over.

"I thought I deserved a place in the squad and I haven't been getting in. It used to destroy me.

"It used to really eat me up. I could be thinking about if for days and I would let it affect me. Especially when I have been at Middlesbrough and thought I was playing well.

"Now I think that at least as long as I play well for Middlesbrough, and I think I should be in, there is not a lot more I can do."

Chelsea's John Terry, Newcastle's Jonathan Woodgate, Boro's Gareth Southgate, Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand and Arsenal's Sol Campbell were all named ahead of Ehiogu.

But, despite continually being left out by Eriksson, the former Aston Villa man does not hold a grudge. Few would argue with him if he decided to retire from international football.

However, Ehiogu insists he is not about to go and make any rash decisions - instead he will be ready to fill in if his chance comes along again.

For now though he just wants to help Boro, who paid £8m for his services, turn into a Premiership force and challenge for silverware.

"I have learned to realise it is not the be-all-and-end-all," he said.

"As long as I'm doing something that is affecting Middlesbrough positively I am happy with that.

"The hunger and drive is as big as it has ever been. It has not died. As I've got older I have learned to control it.

"I still aspire to play at the highest level I can. That still includes playing in Europe and playing for England and perhaps one day challenging for the Championship.

"That is the one thing I am missing.

"I have a League Cup medal, but before I finish I would like to do one of those things."

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