Claus Lundekvam has hit back at claims that he has let down his country after turning down a late call-up to the Norwegian squad.

The Saints defender was left out of the original party for tomorrow's meaningless final World Cup qualifier in Armenia with both sides already out of the competition.

He was not even on standby and so bought flights for his family to come over for the weekend instead.

But this week he was suddenly summoned after first Erik Hoflund and then Henning Berg withdrew through injury.

Lundekvam has been slaughtered by the press back home with manager Nils Semb reportedly saying he might never be picked for Norway again.

But Lundekvam defended his decision saying: "When the squad was announced, I was really disappointed that I was not in it.

"I had not been in the previous squad either, even though I have been playing well. There was no inkling that I might be needed.

"So I made other plans and organised for my family and my wife's family to come over. I cannot really change it now.

"This call-up only came at the last minute but the coach had not given me any indication I should keep the date free.

"I spoke to the coach and he was fine about it, but then he lost another player through injury and suddenly that all changed.

"Now I hear on the grapevine I've been criticised in the Norwegian press and there are suggestions I might not play for them again.

"I would be devastated if that were true but I need to find out all the facts first."

Lundekvam could be excused for feeling he has been messed about and used as nothing more than a convenient stop-gap by his country.

He has won only 12 caps in the last five years - despite being in the best form of his career.

He has matured into a strong reliable centre-back with good skill on the ball, ideally suited to international football.

Yet he has been repeatedly overlooked and used only sporadically, first by Egil Olsen and now by Nils Semb, whose own future must be precarious after a disastrous World Cup qualifying campaign.

Lundekvam added: "I feel I'm playing well and the coach had said he was going to give me a run of games. I played 45 minutes as planned in a friendly against Turkey and afterwards he said they were really going to go for me.

"I was not even in the next squad for the qualifiers against Wales and Poland, let alone the team, because Ronnie Johnsen was fit again. I was really disappointed by that.

"At 28, I am in the peak of my career and I am the youngest experienced centre-back they have.

"They said they were looking to rebuild for the future after failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in more than a decade.

"I really thought my chance had come and, of course, I still hope to be involved again.

"It is a great honour to play for my country and I would love nothing more than to get a run of games."