Paul Scholes has revealed he was only given two hours to decide on whether to come out of international retirement and play in the World Cup.

England manager Fabio Capello revealed he had contacted the veteran midfielder before naming his final 23-man squad for the tournament in South Africa in an attempt to lure him back onto the international stage.

The 35-year-old, however, turned down the offer and admits he may have made the wring decision.

"I am not saying I would have made a difference," the Manchester United player said.

"I am saying I might have made the wrong decision."

Scholes admitted he probably hadn't been given enough time to consider Capello's offer to return to the England squad after a six-year absence.

The offer itself didn't actually come from the England manager himself either but from his assistant Franco Baldini.

"That's why I probably said no, not just because he had given me a couple of hours to think about it but the fact I needed a bit more time," Scholes said.

"I am not saying it definitely would have been [yes] in that case but I think it might have been. I did not expect it the call. It wasn't even on my mind.

"It wasn't until a week before the tournament you start seeing all the build up and thought maybe I made the wrong decision.

"I am just saying it was a chance play in the World Cup and I turned it down. I don't look back and think it didn't go well for England because I didn't go.

"Would I have joined up if Capello had called me? I don't know. Maybe it might have meant more."

England crashed out of the World Cup last month in the last 16, losing in humiliating circumstances 4-1 to Germany.