Ryan Shawcross has revealed he will not consider playing for Wales despite being eligible as the Stoke City captain targets an England cap.
The Chester-born former England Under-21 defender was raised in Flintshire and played for Welsh Schoolboys.
Fifa once ruled Shawcross could not play in Wales' senior sides, despite being educated there, as he was born in England and had no Welsh ancestory.
Rules changed in 2009 but Shawcross insists: "I've not considered Wales."
In October 2009 Fifa's executive committee ratified a proposal from the home nations to change the criteria for which country British players can represent.
Players with five years of compulsory education in the specified country are now eligible to represent that nation.
Shawcross grew up in Buckley in north Wales, but once he turned 16 he could no longer be a Wales Schoolboy international so entered the English system.
The 23-year-old centre-back admits Wales manager Gary Speed has asked him to take advantage of the rule change and represent Wales.
But instead Shawcross is hoping to make Fabio Capello's England squad for their Wembley date with Wales on 6 September.
"I have spoken to Gary Speed a couple of times and made my plans clear," Shawcross told BBC Sport.
"He is a very good, young manager and I have a lot of respect for him.
"But I made my decision a long time ago when the current rule wasn't in place that I could play for Wales.
"Obviously he wants me to play for Wales but I made a decision and I'm going to stick with it. Hopefully I can prove I am good enough to get into the England team.
"I'm not in the England team at the moment so I don't think I'm too wanted there but it is good Wales want me but this rule wasn't in place when I made my decision.
"My decision might have been different if the current rule was in place at the time but these things happen."
Shawcross would certainly have boosted Wales' centre-back options if he agreed to play for Speed's team, as he would be vyeing with James Collins, Ashley Williams, Danny Gabbidon and Lewin Nyatanga for a starting place.
But the former Manchester United trainee will bid to break into an England defensive set-up that includes John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Dawson, Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill and Joleon Lescott
Shawcross, who has been named in England squads but has never won a cap, hopes his European adventure with Stoke - starting this Thursday in their Europa League third round first-leg game with Hajduk Split - will aid his England claim.
"It is tough to get in as there are a lot of world-class players in my position," he said.
"But if I play well in Europe and prove I can play on the big stage that will hopefully influence the manager to pick me.
"It will be difficult to get into the squad for the Holland game in August, so I'll be looking to get into the squad after that."
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