Page captained Wales once during a 10-year career

Page was recalled to the Wales squad this week for the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Cyprus and Slovakia.

But the 32-year-old spoke to Wales manager John Toshack on Wednesday to explain he felt he could no longer give his full commitment to the cause.

"I've given it a lot of thought but I feel I can't be away from the family for 10 days," said 41-cap man Page.

"If I knew I was going to play at the end of it then maybe I would carry on because there is no greater honour than playing for your country.

"But with having such a young family and being away for 10 days, it's not only hard on yourself but also on the children and the wife.

There's no animosity whatsoever. I've got nothing but praise for the team, the set-up and the coaching staff Robert Page

"Nobody in the squad is going to have a guarantee they are going to play, but this is a decision I've been thinking about for the last couple of months."

Page last played for Wales nearly a year ago in the 1-0 friendly defeat away to Cyprus.

He captained the side to victory against Hungary in February 2005 in Toshack's first game back in charge of Wales.

The former Cardiff and Sheffield United centre back has since fallen down the pecking order, but a solid start to the season after overcoming injury problems prompted a shock recall.

"When I got the phone call last Friday it was pleasing in a way that I'd been playing well enough at club level to get back into it," added Page, who made his debut against Turkey 10 years ago.

"I took a while to make my decision and then I phoned him [Toshack] to tell him I wanted to retire."

In a short statement, Toshack said he "reluctantly" accepted Page's decision, adding: "We do, of course, thank him for his efforts over the years and wish him every success in the future."

And Page was keen to stress his decision to retire was no reflection on Toshack's managerial style

"There's no animosity whatsoever," he said. "I've got nothing but praise for the team, the set-up and the coaching staff.

"I think it's something deep-down he understands. I've had a fantastic few years playing for Wales and there's no greater honour - I want to emphasise that.