Keiren Westwood: 'I did not reject Republic of Ireland call-ups'

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Keiren Westwood has refuted claims that he turned down international call-ups over the past 12 months.

The 31-year-old has not played for his country since June of last year, but was included in Martin O'Neill's 23-man squad for Euro 2016 this summer.

Speculation suggested that Westwood's absence from squads since his last appearance was down to him being unwilling to travel to Ireland when he wasn't guaranteed any game time, but the Sheffield Wednesday stopper insists that he was simply not fully fit.

"I wasn't playing every week for Sheffield Wednesday. I missed maybe 12 games this year with carrying injuries since my second day of pre-season. I only really got fully fit in February," he told reporters.

"I've kept 14 clean sheets in 35 or 37 games this year. If you look, I'd be quite confident in saying most of my clean sheets came after January, when I was fit.

"With the national games in November, especially the playoffs and stuff, I couldn't do anything about being injured."

Westwood will be competing with Shay Given and Darren Randolph for a place in Ireland's starting XI at Euro 2016.