It's difficult to believe there has been a better uncapped French defender than the Pompey star.

Yet at the age of 30, his international destiny criminally remains unfulfilled.

Good job too, Distin was desperate for a quiet international break.

Seven Pompey games in 23 days had taken their toll on the exhausted former Manchester City skipper.

It's a gruelling top-flight schedule which had left his body crying for rest and recuperation.

Distin is one of only four players who have appeared in every match so far this season, while last year no-one featured more for the Blues.

At least the onset of the international week has seen the postponement of the domestic programme and the chance for some precious downtime.

And doesn't the shattered defender appreciate it.

He said: 'Normally I would be honoured to play for France but I think I am going to have to announce my international retirement because I am so tired.

'I feel sorry for our international players because by the end of this week they would have played two more games on top of that. It is tough for them.

'At least I have been able to have a rest since Stoke. Now I'm happy not to play for France.

'I am not going to deny it, before the international week I was really, really tired.

'Seven games in 23 days is a lot and I've played every game.

'Some of the lads had a rest with the Carling Cup game against Chelsea but not me.

'We need time to recover and get ready because we want to compete in every game.

'We need to get plenty of sleep and massages.

'But recently that has not happened and I am not sure things can carry on like this.

'We know we have a good life with good wages but once you get on the pitch you forget about that because you are only a human being.

'We all need our rest and that is why I have enjoyed the break so much.'

Next up for Pompey is a trip to Villa on Saturday – after Wednesday's latest round of international matches, of course.

Invariably that means yet more games for the likes of David James, Glen Johnson, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Nadir Belhadj.

Redknapp himself isn't expecting to see any of them back at their Eastleigh training base until Friday – 24 hours before the Villa Park visit.

And Distin has called on football chiefs to re-examine players' fixture commitments.

He added: 'They have to look at it because things need to change.

'We are used to training every day but we are not used to seven games in 23 days.

'It's too much.

'Physically it's impossible and if you've got a team with older players you've got to have protection. It is vital.

'It is not only physically but mentally tiring, especially if you lose, which makes the recovery a bit harder.

'When you lose 6-0 or 4-0 you are under pressure to recover instantly, but it is so hard.

'I try to be positive all the time, but sometimes enough is enough.
'I was shattered after all those games recently.

'You are a human being, not a robot, and at this stage of the season it's a lot for any footballer.'

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