Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has admitted he believed he'd never play for England again.
The 25-year-old has been recalled to Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad for the first time in over two years ahead of the international fixtures at the end of March.
Shaw was part of England's 2014 World Cup squad in Brazil despite being only 18 but form and fitness have seriously hampered his international prospects since then.
Seven years on from that major tournament, Shaw is enjoying the best season of his professional career at Old Trafford which has earned him a second chance with England.
“Yeah, I think so,” Shaw told United's official site when asked if he believed his hopes of representing England were over.
“At times, I made bad mistakes, pulling out of squads, maybe at times when I shouldn’t have. That was down to me.
“Of course, back then, I was going through bad times. There was in the back of my mind, especially my family and my girlfriend, they thought that it was done.
“At the start of the season, I had ambitions and sat down with my girlfriend and said that I wanted to get back in the England squad, doing everything I can to be back there. You know, of course, with my form, I thought there was a bigger chance than ever that I could be back in it.
“Gladly, Gareth’s given me another opportunity to be involved in there, so I’m just really happy and honoured to be selected again. Hopefully, I can show Gareth why I deserve a spot in the squad."
“The way it was going, I think the England squad is really strong at the moment,” he added.
“Good times are coming with tournaments and what-not and you want to be more involved. It’s important now to maybe show Gareth now why I deserve a spot in that squad.
“You know, hopefully, I can grab a spot in the Euros squad to come.”
