Source: PA
Pearce praises willing Wilshere
England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce feels Jack Wilshere is fully focused on football again - but cannot guarantee the young Arsenal midfielder a place in the side for Tuesday night's crucial European Championship qualifier against Lithuania.
Wilshere was left on the bench in Portugal for the 1-0 win on Friday, with Pearce suggesting the 18-year-old had "taken his eye off the ball" after he was arrested and bailed in the wake of a late-night fracas in Kensington.
Pearce, though, maintains the young midfielder - who made his senior international debut as a late substitute in last month's friendly against Hungary at Wembley - is now back on his game.
"Jack has been exactly the same as all the other players who weren't involved in Portugal - fantastic. His attitude has been very good," said Pearce.
"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."
