Paul Parry won 12 caps during a disrupted Wales career

Paul Parry says his shock decision to retire from international football was because he felt he was only in the Wales squad to make up the numbers.

The Cardiff forward, 28, walked out on his country two days before a vital World Cup qualifier in Russia.

He said: "My decision is based on the fact that I knew I wasn't going to be in [manager] John Toshack's plans.

"I'm 28 and I know he's not going to develop me so I might as well end it now."

Parry was unhappy at being left on the bench during the 1-0 win over Azerbaijan on Saturday.

And BBC Wales understands he was told by Toshack that he would start in the match away to Russia on Wednesday.

But despite that Parry left the squad on Sunday night, ending a 12-cap career in which he scored one goal for Wales.

"I'm not going to have a go at John Toshack, he is the manager, he makes the decisions, but for me it's disappointing," he said.

"I am always disappointed when I don't play and suppose Saturday was just the final straw.

606: DEBATE Have your say on Parry's decision

"I can count on the fingers of two hands how many minutes I have played for him in competitive games.

"It just makes me feel like I'm in the squad to make up the numbers and I don't feel that's the way I should be treated.

"After not being used against Azerbaijan, it's clear to me that he is always going to pick the young players ahead of me.

"I have to accept that."

Parry had only recently returned to the Wales squad following an 18-month self-imposed absence, playing in the 2-1 friendly loss to Georgia in Swansea last month.

He withdrew from Wales' Euro 2008 qualifying mid-campaign citing personal reasons, his last competitive international appearance coming as a substitute in the 3-0 win over San Marino in March 2007.

Parry joined Cardiff from then non-League side Hereford in January 2004 for �75,000 and rapidly progressed to international level, making his debut in February 2004 in a 4-0 friendly win over Scotland.

He made his name as a winger, but an eye for goal saw Parry used more and more by first Cardiff and then Wales as a striking option.

However, despite a good goals-to-games ratio at club level Parry could not repeat that for Wales with his only goal coming in a warm-up match against Canada in May 2004.

"I will hold my hands up and say it's bad timing but my feelings are not going to change," he added.

"It has always played on my mind and I don't feel I can be part of it for a long time particularly as I've had two good seasons for Cardiff and I feel I have something to offer the squad.

"John has so many people ahead of me, I just feel I am making up the numbers."