By Scott Cooper
August 10 2006

WOLVES Defender Gary Breen has retired from International Football in order to concentrate on his club career with Wolves.

The 32 year old is still young enough to play a major part in the rebuilding of the Republic Of Ireland squad under their new boss Steve Staunton, but Breen has opted out of international football in order to concentrate on his club career with Wolves.

Breen joined Wolves the day before new boss Mick McCarthy was unveiled and the former Sunderland man was in inspired form during the 1-0 win against Ipswich Town at Molineux on Tuesday night.

Steve Staunton announced the news yesterday and told eleven-a-side.com "“Gary has retired from international football. I had a good conversation with him. He’s been thinking long and hard about it.

“He’s been at it for 14 years and he was ready to retire under Brian [Kerr] but was happy enough to come in for my first couple of games to help on the playing side, which I’m very grateful for. I knew this was around the corner. He wants to give Wolves his best shot.”

Breen made 63 appearances for Ireland, scoring 7 goals.

*Wolves have announced that Walsall Physio Jon Witney will join Wolves on the 21st August. The news follows current assistant physio Steve Kemp agreeing to move to Preston North End where he will become their senior physio.