DEFENDER Sylvain Distin has turned down the opportunity to take a belated step into international football – so he can keep himself in the best possible shape for the new season with Everton.

The 33-year-old French-born defender was invited to represent Guadeloupe in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the USA this summer.

Distin is eligible to play for the Caribbean island nation through his father. But he feared the lengthy Gold Cup commitment would have a negative impact on his preparations for the 2011/12 campaign with Everton.

So he chose to rest up early in the summer before joining the Blues’ training camp in the Austrian Alps this week.

Distin said: “I am 33 now so it made it a difficult choice. My dad is from Guadeloupe and they asked me to play in the Gold Cup.

“It was a tough (decision). I played every game last season and I thought it better to think about the club rather than going to the Gold Cup.”

He added: “It was tempting. It may not be a big nation but it was an interesting offer and it is part of my roots and important to me. I was proud that they asked me but I would have been too tired. It was too big a gamble and I decided to be sensible and stay home and get some rest.”