Toshack slates Thatcher's desire

The 29-year-old says he decided to stop playing for Wales after he was accused by manager John Toshack of being "scared" to face Poland in September.

"I have never bottled anything in my life and I'm not going to start now," Thatcher told the South Wales Echo.

"I would have absolutely relished a battle in Poland - that's a major part of my game."

Thatcher insists he pulled out of the World Cup qualifier in Warsaw because of an ankle injury. He claims Toshack doubted the severity of the injury.

He says they then had a telephone conversation where Toshack suggested Thatcher was afraid to face the Poles because of possible reprisals for an incident in the home leg.

Thatcher was found guilty by video evidence of stamping on Poland's Kamil Kosowski in Cardiff last October and received a three-match ban.

But Thatcher said: "I would have absolutely relished a battle in Poland - that's a major part of my game.

I am not a player who fakes injury, I have played strapped up and with pain reducing injections Ben Thatcher

"Above all, I will not be spoken to by anybody in the manner he [Toshack] spoke to me on the telephone.

"His whole tone was in a taunting fashion, accusing me of ducking out of the game and asking why I was doing that."

He added: "Nothing was further from the truth and it didn't even cross my mind.

"I could not believe the manager mistrusted me and the medical staff at Manchester City or that I was effectively being accused of being scared to travel to Poland.

"He then went through a series of games that I did not attend, some of which I had not even been picked for because of suspension or when I was injured, and that was unfair.

"I am not a player who fakes injury, I have played strapped up and with pain reducing injections.

"I hope this issue can be resolved and that is why I have never said I will retire."

Thatcher released a statement through his agent last week saying he did not want to play for playing for Wales "for the foreseeable future".

He refused to give specific reasons because of a "gentleman's agreement" he says he had with Wales to keep the matter private.

But after Toshack launched a stinging attack on Thatcher last Thursday, Thatcher has now decided to respond.

"The manager held court with the media and gave one side of this unfortunate affair, which is why I'm now giving my side," said Thatcher.

"The manager has questioned my commitment and credibility in public and I feel I have no choice but to defend myself and tell the truth."