STUART Pearce has welcomed Gabriel Agbonlahor's promotion to the England squad, but wants the Aston Villa forward back with him when available for crucial under-21 matches.
Agbonlahor's England future looked in the balance when he could not be contacted for the European Under-21 Championships in the summer but he has been back in the squad since and his form for club and country earned him a call-up from Fabio Capello
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Under-21 coach Pearce, who is also on Capello's backroom staff, has been in favour of giving players games at younger levels rather than being unused for the seniors. New England head coach Capello agrees.
"He sees it as common sense, as I do," said Pearce. "We're both working for the greater good."
If the under-21s defeat the Republic of Ireland at St Mary's on Tuesday they will be almost certain of a play-off to reach the 2009 championships, and Pearce would want his strongest possible side for the next phase.
"I hope Gabby is successful with the seniors," said Pearce. "I also hope in two years' time he's with the under-21s in Sweden and we win the tournament there."
Joe Hart, Aaron Lennon, Theo Walcott and David Wheater were considered by Capello for his first squad, and if they make the step up to the seniors they could still be asked to feature for the under-21s. Micah Richards is also eligible.
With Pearce now on Capello's coaching staff, he is confident there will be no repeat of players choosing to rest rather than represent England.
"For me, it should be a thing of the past. It will always be a thing of the past in my head," he said. "I'll put those views to Fabio.
"From speaking to him briefly, I feel he has the opinion that players play for whoever they are asked to play for, and it is a massive honour to do so. That's the way he came across to me. I think we're very much in tune."
The full article contains 346 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
