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Stuart Pearce cannot guarantee England under-21 start for Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere
Starlet distracted by off the field problems...
6 Sep 2010 14:50:00
By Matt Monaghan
Stuart Pearce has refused to guarantee an England under-21 start for Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere after off the field problems.
Wilshere, 18, was caught up in an incident outside a night club last weekend and was benched for Friday's crucial Euro 2011 qualification victory against Portgual.
With his head now clear for Tuesday's meeting with Lithuania - where victory could mean progression to next summer's final in one of four best runners-up spots - the fully capped starlet could still sit out the match at Colchester United's Weston Homes Community Stadium.
Pearce said: "Jack has been exactly the same as all the other players who weren't involved in Portugal - fantastic. His attitude has been very good.
"I have seen a touch more focus.
"Leading into the Portugal game, he was swapping phone calls with his agent and one to two other people in regards to newspaper articles which were going on.
"We just did not feel it was right to start him in Portugal.
"Since then, we think his focus has been much better.
"It is difficult for a young man, there are a lot of pressures on young players at the best of times.
"It is my job to read those situations as best I can."
The former England full-back continued: "I will let them all know what the team is tomorrow and there will be seven or so who are not in the starting line-up who will be disappointed.
"But one thing I can guarantee and it has happened for three years now, they will support the players in the team and when their chance does come, they will take it."
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Wilshere, 18, was caught up in an incident outside a night club last weekend and was benched for Friday's crucial Euro 2011 qualification victory against Portgual.
With his head now clear for Tuesday's meeting with Lithuania - where victory could mean progression to next summer's final in one of four best runners-up spots - the fully capped starlet could still sit out the match at Colchester United's Weston Homes Community Stadium.
Pearce said: "Jack has been exactly the same as all the other players who weren't involved in Portugal - fantastic. His attitude has been very good.
"I have seen a touch more focus.
"Leading into the Portugal game, he was swapping phone calls with his agent and one to two other people in regards to newspaper articles which were going on.
"We just did not feel it was right to start him in Portugal.
"Since then, we think his focus has been much better.
"It is difficult for a young man, there are a lot of pressures on young players at the best of times.
"It is my job to read those situations as best I can."
The former England full-back continued: "I will let them all know what the team is tomorrow and there will be seven or so who are not in the starting line-up who will be disappointed.
"But one thing I can guarantee and it has happened for three years now, they will support the players in the team and when their chance does come, they will take it."
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provides the best breaking news online and our football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
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