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Gareth Fullerton

Oliver Norwood has 'no regrets' over Northern Ireland retirement decision

Oliver Norwood insists he has no regrets over retiring from international football three years ago.

The Sheffield United midfielder called time on his Northern Ireland career in August 2019 when Michael O'Neill was at the helm.

He had earned 57 caps for his country and played at the Euro 2016 finals, starting all four games in France.

Read more: Northern Ireland vs Kosovo TV and live stream info for Saturday's game

His last appearance came in October 2018 in a 2-0 Nations League defeat to Bosnia.

This week Norwood watched 14 of his Blades teammates go on international duty, but he insists the mass exodus didn't leave him in reflective mood.

Asked if he would be tempted to return to the international fold, Norwood told The Star: “No, not one bit. I’ve got a young family, two young children.

"The amount of time we spend away being footballers is hard on wives, partners and kids.”

On his club's busy schedule this season, Norwood added: “We’ve been on the road for three days and it will be nice to go home and spend some time with the family.

“Three nights away, it asks a lot of them and I’m looking forward to having some proper time with them. They make a lot of sacrifices so I can do what I do.”

It isn't the first time Norwood has talked about the demands international football places on footballers.

Speaking to the BBC back in 2020, he told BBC Radio 5Live: "You get to a point where something has to give.

"I noticed a difference in my performance before I went away compared to my performance when I came back.

"It was affecting my performances for whatever club I was playing for and I didn't think I was giving myself the best opportunity to perform for my club.

"It's probably not good for people to hear, but at the end of the day your club career comes first."

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