Pearce could select Carroll

Stuart Pearce has hinted that Andy Carroll and Jack Wilshere could figure at the U21 European Championships.

The Young Lions will compete for international glory in Denmark this summer, looking to go one better than their runners-up finish in 2009.

England are among the favourites to take the crown but will face stiff competition from the likes of Spain, who are already World and European champions at senior level.

If they are to prevail, Pearce acknowledges that he must have his strongest possible side available.

That means Liverpool striker Carroll and Arsenal midfielder Wilshere could be involved, despite having made the step up into Fabio Capello's elite squad.

"It's down to me to make sure the best players play and compete for England this summer," said Pearce, who included senior stars such as James Milner and Theo Walcott in his 2009 squad.

"They won't progress in the seniors unless they play in the big tournaments. That is staring me in the face. I don't have to be a diplomat, as I'm a football manager.

"If you look at the Spanish model, they won titles at junior level and then won at senior level. You can't just build from the top."

Selecting the likes of Carroll and Wilshere is unlikely to go down well with their club bosses, who will be keen for their key men to take a well-earned break this summer following a long, hard slog in the Premier League.

The dangers of international competition were made painfully apparent again on Thursday, with Manchester City defender Micah Richards picking up a hamstring injury in a 4-0 victory for England's U21s over Denmark.

He now faces a race against time to rebuild his fitness in time for City's FA Cup semi-final clash with arch-rivals Manchester United on April 16.

Source: Sky Sports

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