Latics midfielder Jason Koumas has called it day and retired from international football with Wales.

Jason Koumas, 29, told Wales boss John Toshack after he picked up an injury that would keep him out of Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier with Russia in Cardiff.

Koumas made his Wales debut against Ukraine in 2001 and scored 10 goals in his 34 international appearances. The Football Association of Wales insists the decision is “amicable” and Toshack “wished Jason well.”

Koumas would almost certainly have retired ahead of next year’s Euro 2012 qualifiers, but with only away games with Finland and Liechtenstein to follow the Russia game in qualifying Group Four, decided now was the time to step down.

Koumas, who won his first cap as a substitute in a 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw in Kiev, told Toshack he would not recover from a hamstring injury in time to play against Russia in a qualifier that is academic for Wales.

The enigmatic midfielder is the latest Wales international to quit the national team before retiring from football altogether since Toshack replaced Mark Hughes in 2004.
Koumas, who has endured an often troubled international career, has retired from Wales to concentrate on his club commitments as told Toshack he is an integral part to Wigan boss Roberto Martinez’s plans.

Robbie Savage quit Wales following a public war-of-words with Toshack but Ryan Giggs, Carl Fletcher, Paul Parry and Carl Robinson and now Koumas all retired in a bid to extend their club career.

Toshack was a huge admirer of Koumas but dropped him a few months ago when he was not playing regularly in the Premier League.

Koumas’ last Wales appearance was a 2-0 defeat by Finland at the Millennium Stadium and in the wake of that loss there was talk of Koumas retiring from Wales.

The Welsh FA issued a statement to insist the Wrexham-born player was not going to quit but the FAW spokesman admitted “Jason did have a private discussion with John Toshack”.
Sourced from the BBC

Click here to disucuss this issue and many more on the Cockney Latic message board.

Cockney Latic is an independent Wigan Athletic fans site and as such, if you feel you have an article, story or feature you would like to see on the site, please let us know.

We are always looking for fans whi wish to put new articles on the site, whether they are one offs, or if they become a regular feature. If you’re interested, send your details or articles to us and we will publish them or get in touch.

The email as usual is jayt@cockneylatic.co.uk.