Fulham striker Bobby Zamora has said it was "a kick in the teeth" to pull out of possible selection for England's World Cup squad because of injury.
He was on course for inclusion in Fabio Capello's provisional 30-man squad, named on Tuesday. But despite starting Wednesday's Europa League final defeat, an Achilles tendon injury - on which he now faces surgery - has ended his World Cup dreams.
"I knew I wouldn't have done myself or England justice had I gone," he said.
"It was a joint decision between myself, Capello, Fulham's medical team and England's medical team. The World Cup is a massive tournament. It's not about myself, it's about England.
"Capello wished me all the best, hoped that I get fit and would be available next season. It's one of those things, it has come at a bad time and the last five weeks have been terrible for me.
"It's been an up and down season because it's been so good on the pitch and I've scored some important goals. To now pick up this injury has kicked me in the teeth. It's come during the last couple of weeks and when there was the possibility of going to the World Cup with England.