Matt Ritchie has called time on his international career with the Scotland team

The 30-year-old has spoken with manager Steve Clarke over his decision

The Newcastle winger wants to use the break to see his family in Hampshire

Ritchie also wants to prioritise his fitness and availability for Newcastle United

Newcastle winger Matt Ritchie has called time on his Scotland career after a fresh approach from manager Steve Clarke.

Sportsmail can reveal that the 30-year-old has outlined his reasons for stepping away from the international scene following a conversation with the boss.

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We understand that Ritchie's family are living in Hampshire and the international breaks provide his only chance to spend consecutive days with them.

Matt Ritchie has called time on his Scotland career as the winger makes way for young talent

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Ritchie - sidelined since August with an ankle injury - has also told Clarke that he wants to make sure he is fit and ready for selection with Newcastle.

He also believes that Scotland have a talented crop of young players emerging and feels the time is right for others to be given a chance.

It brings to an end a Scotland career that brought 16 caps after making his debut in 2015 under Gordon Strachan. The Hampshire-born midfielder qualified through his Edinburgh-born father and spoke of his family's pride at the call-up. He went on to win one of Scotland's player of the year awards in 2016 and still had admirers within the Scottish FA.

Sportsmail understands Ritchie spoke with Scotland manager Steve Clarke about the decision

Ritchie cited family reasons as well as ambitions to be fit for Newcastle as he stepped away

Clarke had hoped to bring Ritchie back into his squad this season after the player told former boss Alex McLeish last November that he did not want to be considered for selection.

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At the time, McLeish explained: 'Matt wanted to be left out for the foreseeable future. It's private. It's not something for me to discuss. He had injury issues as well and, again, there is management of his injuries.

'I wanted Matt to come in, but he has asked to be left out at the moment. He has not retired or anything.'

Ritchie, meanwhile, is approaching the final 18 months of his Newcastle contract and his club future remains uncertain.

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He is a popular player among supporters and team-mates but talk of a new deal has cooled in light of his recent injury and it could well be that his family situation sees him return to the south at some stage.