Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey denies ever turning down England

England`s Swansea City midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, hoping to earn a first start for his country away to San Marino on Saturday, has denied ever refusing to play for the Under-21 team.

London: England`s Swansea City midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, hoping to earn a first start for his country away to San Marino on Saturday, has denied ever refusing to play for the Under-21 team.

England manager Roy Hodgson, who gave him a full international debut as substitute -- also against San Marino -- in 2012, said last year he believed Shelvey was "reticent" about going back to Gareth Southgate`s Under-21 side after that.

But the former Charlton and Liverpool player told a news conference on Wednesday that there had been a misunderstanding.

"A lot of it`s been rumours and been misread," he said.

"I spoke to Gareth, who said that when the Euro Under-21 (Championship) came round, he didn`t expect me still to be with them.

"I`ve always made myself available for my country. If I didn`t my dad would have killed me.

"I`ll play anywhere for my country, it`s just an honour to be here."

Shelvey, 23, became Charlton`s youngest first-team player at the age of 16 in 2008 and joined Liverpool two years later.

He made 69 appearances in three seasons, as well as having a spell on loan at Blackpool, but was sold to Swansea in 2013, becoming a first-team regular for the past two seasons.

Now he hopes for a full England cap in one of the two internationals during the coming week, in which Hodgson`s team can seal qualification for the Euro 2016 finals.

Top of Group E with a 100 percent record after six games, England also host second-placed Switzerland on Tuesday.

Shelvey revealed that Hodgson had spoken to the squad at a meeting on Tuesday night about the possibility of winning every one of the 10 qualifying games.

"There`s no reason why we can`t do it," the Swansea player said. "We`ve got the ability in the team to do that."