Scholes rules out return

Paul Scholes has shot down suggestions that he will play for England again.

Paul Scholes has shot down suggestions that he will come out of international retirement following Steve McClaren's appointment as England coach.

McClaren worked closely with Scholes at Manchester United during his stint as assistant manager at Old Trafford and, with some pundits feeling the midfielder did not agree with some of Sven Goran Eriksson's tactics, the change in coach was viewed as an opportunity to herald a return to the white shirt for the 31-year-old.

However, Scholes has dismissed a comeback out of hand as he focuses on his club career with United.

"It's nonsense," he told manutd.com. "I don't know where the papers got that story from.

"I've not even contemplated it, to be honest."

Scholes won 66 caps for his country but quit after Euro 2004, as Frank Lampard emerged as the likelier attacking midfield option for Eriksson.

The experienced Red Devil has looked sharp in pre-season after recovering from the eye problem that sidelined him last term.

A red card, received for a rash challenge on Porto's Ricardo Quaresma, has left Scholes fretting over a possible suspension that will rule him out of the Premiership opener against Fulham.