ALAN Fettis has told Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez that he will be available for international duty whenever he's needed.

The Macclesfield Town stopper insists he isn't interested in the current vogue for international retirement, despite falling behind Manchester United's Roy Carroll and Birmingham's Maik Taylor in the queue for the number one jersey.

The 33-year-old earned the last of his 25 international caps in 2004 whilst playing for Hull City, but says that he will always be ready for the call.

"I have been in the squad a couple of times over the past year, but with Maik Taylor and Roy Carroll ahead of me it's been a little difficult to get a look in," he admitted.

"Lawrie Sanchez, to his credit, is looking for young Irish goalkeepers to come through and I'm probably the wrong side of 30, but as long as I'm playing I'll be ready for the call.

"Also, I'm probably the only one who's playing regular first team football at the moment, so I have got that going for me."

Fettis said he was not completely happy with his form so far this season, but said a solid performance against Oxford United last weekend could spur him on.

"It's been a bit up and down so far this season to be honest," he said. "I wish I had been a bit more consistent at times and there have been a few goals which I think I could have done better on.

"But throughout a season there is always going to be times when you think you can do better, and hopefully they are behind me now."

Another important ingredient of Macc's good form this season has been the rivalry between Fettis and current number two choice Steve Wilson, admits the Belfast-born keeper.

"As keepers we're out there on our own, so we have to push each other on at times," he said.

"I've known Willo (Wilson) for a long time since we were at Hull together and he's always helped me, and vice-versa, whoever is not in the team."

And with Macc currently residing in the play-off positions, Fettis has said he will not be making any predictions for a good while yet.

"We'll see at Christmas and re-evaluate the situation. We're going OK for now, and should have a few more points, but we're quite happy."

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