Andrew Driver today revealed he was delaying a decision over his international future and would not be in the Scotland squad for next weekend's friendly with Wales.

Hearts winger Driver is torn between remaining loyal to his native England or choosing to represent his adopted country.

With Scotland boss George Burley set to name his squad for the Wales game on Thursday, Driver today confirmed he would not be included.

The 21-year-old, who was born in Oldham but moved to north Berwick 10 years ago, claimed he was focusing all his energy on regaining his form for Hearts, which has dipped in recent weeks.

Once that is achieved, he suggested he would then make a decision on whether to switch international allegiances.

He said: "You don't want to drag it on. If you drag it on, it makes it look as if I'm stalling, which shows disrespect to both nations.

"I feel it would have been a lot easier if I hadn't my form to concentrate on.

"Next few weeks I'll be concentrating on that and then hopefully the decision will be made."

Driver has unwittingly become the poster boy for a recent rule change that allows British passport holders to represent any of the home nations, provided they have been educated in that country for five years.

His situation has been further complicated by the fact that, before FIFA ratified this change, he made his debut for England Under-21s during the summer.

That is thought to be one reason why Burley has demanded Driver pledge his allegiance to Scotland before he can be considered for selection.

Driver confirmed he had had no direct contact with Burley but suggested his agent had.

He said: "It's something I eventually will have to address. But it's something that you can't rush into.

"At the moment, for me, I'm not going to get into the squad anyway, so there's no point in coming out and making the decision."

He added: "It's a massive decision to make. But the way everyone's been coming across and talking to me, it's as if I would get into the squad.

"I feel if I come out and say I want to get in the squad, it makes me look arrogant and come across arrogant, so I don't want to rush into it and come across the wrong way.

"I want to think long and hard about it and if I do make the decision to play for Scotland, I will do it 100%; I won't go into it halfway.

"I'm not delaying the decision because I'm not sure about it; it's just the fact that I want to get feeling good about myself playing football and then I'll settle down."

Driver insisted he could understand Burley's position, the Scotland boss obviously fearing an embarrassing snub if he calls up the winger.

But he added: "It does make it a bit more difficult for me because it's a massive decision for me to make.

"I don't think anyone would want to be in the same position."

The player revealed "legal" issues would also prevent Burley simply calling him up out of the blue, with Driver likely to have to fill out paperwork before becoming eligible for his adopted country.

But he insisted if he did decide to choose Scotland, he would have no regrets about turning his back on England.

"I wouldn't have any feelings about turning my back," he said.

"Obviously, it was a great honour for me to play for England and it's something in the future I'd want to do.

"But if I turn my back on them then that is it; that's out the window; I wouldn't even consider that; I'd be 100% behind my decision."

Asked if he felt Scottish, he replied: "I've been here since I was 10 years old. All my friends are Scottish, my girlfriend's Scottish, I was educated here, I've worked all my life here.

"I've been here more than half my life so it's a major part of my life."

Driver was speaking to promote Hearts' Hall of Fame' awards for 2009 at Edinburgh Corn Exchange on November 13.