McClaren reveals double Scholes approach

England manager Steve McClaren today revealed that two attempts to lure Paul Scholes out of international retirement have failed.

Scholes brought down the curtain on his England career in August 2004 in order to concentrate on his club commitments with Manchester United and to spend more time with his family.

McClaren believes Scholes, who won 65 caps, still has a role to play with England but the 31-year-old midfielder has refused to change his mind.

"I asked Paul if he would like to return - it was one of the first things I did before I named my full squad," he told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek.

"I asked him in the summer if he would reconsider and come back into the fold. He declined and then declined again when I asked him last week.

"He just wants to concentrate on playing for Manchester United and his family, which were the reasons for his decision when he retired from international football last time. I respected those decisions when he retired from international football and I don't expect to be asking him again.

"But," he said, "the door is always open and I would never close it on Paul Scholes.''