ARGYLE midfielder Damien Johnson has announced his retirement from international football with Northern Ireland.

The 31-year-old can now concentrate solely on his club commitments with the Pilgrims.

Johnson took his decision ahead of Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington naming his 22-strong squad for a friendly against Macedonia next month.

Argyle striker Rory Patterson has been selected for the game in Podgorica on August 11.

It means Patterson, who has been capped three times by his country, will miss the Pilgrims' Carling Cup first round tie against Notts County at Home Park the previous day.

Johnson was capped 56 times by Northern Ireland at senior international level.

The midfielder made his debut in a 1-0 win away to the Republic of Ireland in a friendly in Dublin in May 1999.

His last appearance came in a 0-0 draw with the Czech Republic in a World Cup qualifier in Prague last October.

Johnson said: "It has been a huge honour for me to have represented Northern Ireland and I have enjoyed many special moments throughout my international career.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me during my time with the Northern Ireland team — the managers who I have played under, the backroom staff, all of the players I have played alongside, and the incredible fans for their support.

"It hasn't been an easy decision for me to make but, with the help of my family, I feel it is the best decision for my career.

"I would particularly like to thank Nigel Worthington for his support and understanding over the last couple of weeks.

"I wish Nigel and the team every success in the forthcoming European Championships."

Worthington paid tribute to Johnson after he announced his decision to retire from international football.

"Northern Ireland is losing a very experienced player and a truly excellent professional, but I understand how Damien feels at this stage in his career and I fully respect his decision," said Worthington.

"I would like to thank Damien for his contribution and praise him for his commitment to Northern Ireland football during my time as international manager and I wish him all the very best in his career which lies ahead."

Johnson's retirement from international football follows that of Argyle captain Carl Fletcher last August.

Fletcher had been capped 36 times by Wales.

Meanwhile, Patterson will hope to make his fourth appearance for Northern Ireland when they take on Macedonia next month.

The 26-year-old, signed by the Pilgrims from Glentoran last month for a reported transfer fee of £40,000, is one of five strikers in the squad.

The others are Warren Feeney (Oldham Athletic), David Healy (Sunderland), Kyle Lafferty (Rangers) and Martin Paterson (Burnley).

Northern Ireland will play their first 2012 European Championship qualifier away to Slovenia in Maribor on September 3.

Argyle will now be without two strikers — Patterson and Joe Mason — for their Carling Cup tie against Notts County.

Mason is in the Republic of Ireland under-21s squad for their European Championship qualifier against Estonia at Tallaght Stadium, Dublin, on the same evening.