Sol Campbell has hit out at England coach Fabio Capello for overlooking his claims to an international recall in favour of "a couple of half-fit players" at the ongoing World Cup in South Africa.
The veteran center back, who started the season in League Two with Notts County, hoped his end of term renaissance with Arsenal would have been enough to force himself into Capello's thoughts.
But Capello overlooked the claims of the 74-cap international and preferred to select Ledley King, despite concerns over his fitness, while talking Jamie Carragher out of international retirement.
"I can understand if Capello was thinking 'this guy is for England's past' but then he went back for a couple of players who had retired from international football," Campbell said, "That I couldn't understand if he wasn't interested in going back to me."
"Not only that, Capello has gone for one center half who didn't have a very good season, and another who just missed out on relegation. It's crazy when you think about it, that I would have done anything for crack at it, but never did. I was really, really hurt to be totally overlooked without even having an opportunity.
"I have been playing with England teams since I was 15 years old. I have won 74 England caps - been there, got the T-shirt - and it's experience that counts at this level as well."
Campbell, who is out of contract and being tipped for a move to Celtic, felt he had done enough during his stint with the Gunners to deserve consideration for a return to the international fold.