Pearce on Jack Wilshere

From Vital England:

When Jack Wilshere was called into Stuart Pearce's squad for the U21 play-off with Romania it was unlikely that he would be included in the senior squad for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro, although that is exactly what happened in the end...

The Arsenal man would play in Friday's 1st leg, which England narrowly won 2-1, before joining up with the senior squad for the 2012 qualifier as the U21s leave for the 2nd leg in Romania next week.

Stuart Pearce said that he 'tried his hardest' to keep him in his squad but this has proved unsuccessful - so this leaves Pearce with mixed feelings, even so he feels his squad can cope without him: 'I spoke with Fabio before the match was played, and I think Jack will be meeting up with the seniors.

'Part of me is pleased that he is going, as it shows to the rest of the squad the pathway which is there for the players, part of me would have liked to have him in Romania.

'However, we feel as if we have quality in the squad and whoever plays will do themselves proud on Tuesday.

'I also hope Jack gets a game against Montenegro.'

A place in the senior squad is something that Pearce said the midfielder deserved as he is an 'outstanding player', even so he is wary about pushing him too fast too soon...

Pearce also confirmed that Wilshere was happy to remain with the U21 squad if he was asked, something that was looked upon favourably by Pearce: 'the one thing which really pleased me was Jack would have been happy to get on the plane and come to Romania with us.

'Part of him feels he is being taken away from the U21s, in a nice way, but his attitude is fantastic, he is an outstanding player.

'With his form for club and country, he deserves to be with the seniors and good luck to him. Jack is an outstanding player and we have to nurture him for club and country.

'I honestly feel experiences like tonight will improve him as a player.

'It was a difficult game with not a lot of room to play in for Jack, but I think he enjoyed the game tonight and will go away from here with a good feeling out himself to join up with the seniors.'

You cannot underestimate the benefits that Wilshere will get from being involved in the senior squad again over the coming days although I am not convinced that he will actually be involved on Tuesday night so 'maybe' it would have been more beneficial to England, at U21 level, if he had remained with them?

That said I would 'think' there is a good chance he would be named among the subs, so it is possible he could get on...

As featured on Vital England (feel free to leave comments here and there, using your same vital logins on each).

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