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Serbian Lazovic quits international football

"Lazovic has sent a letter to the FSS saying that he will no longer make himself available for national team selection in order to focus on club achievements," the body's spokesman Aleksandar Boskovic told a news conference.

Boskovic said defender Aleksandar Lukovic, who also plays for Zenit and has won 27 caps, had made himself unavailable for national selection for the rest of this year.

Lazovic, who was part of Serbia's World Cup 2010 squad, has scored 11 goals in 43 internationals but never established himself in the country's starting eleven.

"I think he has made a hasty decision because he is too young to quit the national team at the age of 27 but even if he doesn't, we will move on without him," Petrovic told Reuters.

"Of course it's a blow for us because we are short of top quality strikers at the moment, but it's his decision and all we can do is wish him the best of luck," he added.

With first-choice striker Dragan Mrdja out for the rest of the season and Nikola Zigic doubtful with a groin injury, Petrovic had to recall Liverpool's Milan Jovanovic and include several uncapped players.

"It's only an outside chance but with so many players out for various reasons and a rising number of the walking wounded, we need as many resources as we can," Petrovic said.