Steven Reid has no plans to return to international football despite the Republic of Ireland’s qualification for Euro 2012.

The Baggies man insists that his decision to quit has aided his Albion career.

He opted out of internationals last summer in the hope that it would bring an end to his catalogue of injury problems.

And the 30-year-old feels that decision has contributed to his extended spell in the Albion team.

The Republic have qualified for their first major tournament in 10 years but Reid intends to sit it out.

Reid said: “At this moment in time I probably wouldn’t play.

“I’ve started 14 league games this season – 14 of them on the spin, which is more than I’ve done for quite a while.

“At the moment I’m delighted with that and with staying fit and I think retiring from international football has helped me.

“I would have had another four, five or six games and instead I get the chance to recover.

“If I had had those games in midweek and been flying back from the other side or Europe to play in the Premier League it would have been a tough ask.

“I made the decision to prolong my club career and at the moment it’s going really well.

“Next summer, if there were a few injuries and they were in desperate need, then you never know.”

Reid admitted that both he and Jerome Thomas – who were both plagued by serious injuries before moving to Albion – were indebted to Albion’s medical staff.

“They all deserve massive credit,” he added. “Since Jerome has been at the club he has started virtually every game and it gives me confidence that the medical staff think they can keep me fit.

“Since I have been here I’ve got just over 50 appearances in a year and a half, whereas I probably had 50 in the three or four years before that.

“They know my body inside out and know what’s best for me.”

And Reid also feels the scouts deserve credit for the club’s Premier League status.

“Credit to the scouting department. A couple of weeks ago when Billy Jones was in there three or four of us were free transfers with myself and Gareth.

“Jonas didn’t cost a lot and JT was a free transfer as well. It’s a pretty cheaply-assembled squad and on the whole we have competed against everyone we have played.”