SAINTS hooker James Roby says he had little option but to miss England’s Test series with New Zealand but he will be doing all he can to win back the jersey in 2019.

The 32-year-old Saints captain, who won his 32nd England cap against the Kiwis in Denver in June, underwent keyhole surgery after playing with a shoulder injury for the last two months of the 2018 season.

Roby, who was presented with the Ray Fletcher player of the year award by the Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters’ Association on Tuesday, admits it was a tough decision to sit out the autumn internationals.

“I had a shoulder issue for the last two to three months of the season and I knew it needed sorting sooner or later,” he said.

“I understand I’m coming to the back end and I might not get many more chances so it was a big decision but I felt I had to look after myself for the long term if I’m to play for two, three maybe four more years.

“If I had played, I wouldn’t have been able to give 100 per cent and, when other lads are champing at the bit to play, I think I’d be doing a bit of injustice to them when I know deep down I need to get it sorted.

“It’s not as if we’re making do, we’ve got people who are as good if not better so I think it was the right decision.”

England coach Wayne Bennett turned to Warrington’s Daryl Clark and Canberra’s Josh Hodgson to fill the hooking roles in Roby’s absence and they combined to help pull off an 18-16 first Test win on Saturday.

But the St Helens favourite insists he wants the jersey back and has no intention of turning his back on the international game.

There are plans to revive the Lions tour next year and Roby says that would provide a fitting way to bring down the curtain on his international career.

“I really enjoyed being part of the World Cup,” he sad. “I don’t know if it’s because I’m nearing the end and I appreciate it a bit more, but we went so close in the World Cup and had such a great time.

“I was away on holiday so I’ve not watched the game from the weekend but I’m still in a WhatsApp group and I still speak to the lads.

“I miss being around the group and I’ll be doing everything I can next year to get on that Great Britain tour.

“My first international appearance was on a Great Britain tour in 2006 and we’ve had all that time with England, so it would be nice when it reverts back to Great Britain to go on another tour.”