Norwich City midfielder Alex Tettey feels time is running out to get back to the Premier League.

Tettey announced his retirement from international football yesterday to focus on playing his part in City's bid for a top flight return, with the Canaries needing a big push over the final weeks.

'For me, as a player, this is my last chance to play in the Premier League. That is why I am trying everything to make this happen,' he said.

'You get older and older and there are younger players coming up who get chosen. That is my personal reason for doing all I can.

'It is not only me but everyone is disappointed not to play in the Premier League. When you have played there before you know how big it is. You know how everyone in the whole world watches Premier League football. Everyone knows the players and it is a big thing. It still is for me. I watch it at home and I really want to be there again.'

City head to Sheffield Wednesday today six points adrift of the sixth-placed Owls. Carlos Carvalhal's side missed out in the play-off final last season, 12 months after the Canaries' own memorable Wembley triumph.

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'It is different this time around because at this same stage back then we were already in the top six and we were really pushing for a direct promotion spot,' said Tettey. 'This time we are out of the top six and chasing it. In terms of us having a chance to make it, the opportunity is still there, but I have been asked this question a lot and maybe the last time we were in the Championship it felt a little bit easier than now. It has been harder than I thought. You look at Burton or Rotherham and it is a different world to maybe Newcastle but they can cause you problems in the same way. There are a lot of teams bringing in good players. It is a very competitive league, even players dropping down from the top division in Spain to play in the Championship.'

The 30-year-old revealed a heavy workload for club and country is behind his decision to finish on the international stage.

'I'd like to continue on the national team and this is not about a lack of motivation, but my body can not withstand the load of games,' he said. 'I play two or three games a week for the club team, and unfortunately the strain becomes too great when I additionally play friendlies.'