Republic of Ireland's Lee Carsley says he won't retire from international football, even if he does not make Steve Staunton's future squads.

The 33-year-old Everton midfielder admitted he had thought about retiring, but is determined to play a role in a major tournament for his country.

"I have thought about retirement but am just going game to game right now," he told Everton's official website.

"If the next squad is announced and Stan (Steve Staunton) thinks that he doesn't need me, I won't retire. But it is down to the manager.

"I am not taking it for granted that I will play for Ireland."

Carsley has only played two minutes of a major international tournament and is hopeful of getting another chance.

"Time passes you by, you haven't played (at a major tournament) and you realise you can't take it for granted," he explained.

"Hopefully it will hit home to these lads that we need to start putting performances together so we can get there."