Abdoulaye Doucoure has ruled himself out of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Everton midfielder made his international debut with Mali last year and was tipped to be recalled for January’s tournament in the Ivory Coast.
Doucoure’s prospects of involvement have been enhanced by his resurgence for Sean Dyche’s side since being reintegrated into the squad in February.
But the 30-year-old insists that his focus remains with the Blues despite a possibility of being named in Eric Chelle’s provisional squad later this year.
“I don’t think I’m going to make the Africa Nations Cup, to be honest,” said Doucoure.
“I think I’m going to stay here in an Everton shirt. I don’t want to go.
“It’s not a big, big decision because I went only one time for the Mali national team. I want to focus really on my career and on the club.
“I have all the respect for my country, but I am going to stay here.”
Doucoure signed a two-year extension with Everton on Friday, which came just months after he was frozen out by Dyche’s predecessor Frank Lampard.
He added: “It was very hard for me [in January], but I never give up.
“Nobody can break me. I’m still here, fighting for the club.
“All of my career, I was always playing. I only had this problem with the previous manager, which wasn’t working.
“I’m still here, still happy, still alive and looking for more.
“The priority was always to stay, but I was at the end of the contract, and Everton had to make a decision.
“In the end, it worked well because my wish was always to stay, and we found a good agreement.”
