McClaren is determined to keep Carragher involved, especially with King and Woodgate injury prone and Rio Ferdinand a yellow card away from a suspension in the qualifiers. “If it’s an absolute emergency – and by that I mean if all available centre halves are out injured or there are suspensions - I probably won’t say no if I’m asked,” said Carragher. “I’m not doing this to leave England in the lurch.” Carragher is generous in his praise for the under siege England manager and insists he’d feel the same way no matter who was in charge. “I want to stress this has nothing do would Steve McClaren,” he said. “It wouldn’t have mattered who was the England manager, I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I’ve worked with Steve for five years as part of the England set-up. “I have a great time working with him and a lot of the England coaches. I’m just thinking about this from a purely personal point of view. “The reason I’m delaying a final decision is because I didn’t want people to think I have a bad attitude or I’m turning my back on the country at a bad time.” England’s loss would undoubtedly be Liverpool’s gain. Rafa Benitez would be relieved a key member of his squad no longer has the distraction of energy-sapping international breaks. That’s a factor which is also on Carragher’s mind. “When you go away with England you get back to Liverpool on a Thursday and sometimes have a match early on Saturday,” he said. “I’ve never liked the situation where I’ve not felt 100 per cent before a Liverpool match. Even if you don’t play in the international, going away and travelling can take it out of you. “Leaving all that behind would be another reason for my decision and I’ll be happier when those breaks come around and I’ll be fresher for the Liverpool matches. “Liverpool has always been my first priority, and having just signed a new four-year contract I want all my focus to be on the club, winning trophies here from now on. “I’ve always said I want to stay at Liverpool for life, and I think not playing for England would help make that more realistic. “It could add at least two more years on my career at the top level, and that’s uppermost in my mind.” | 
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