Pearce predicts opening for Walcott

08 October 2009 15:41
Walcott is currently part of Pearce's Under-21 set-up as they prepare for Friday's European Championship qualifier against Macedonia at the Ricoh Arena. The Arsenal winger sustained a lower back injury during pre-season and only made his return to first-team action as a substitute in Sunday's 6-2 Premier League triumph over Blackburn. Fabio Capello left the youngster out of his squad for the forthcoming double header against Ukraine and Belarus as a result of his lack of match fitness, while he was only called up for England Under-21 duty on Tuesday following Lee Cattermole's withdrawal due to a heel injury. Pearce is keen to stress Gunners manager Arsene Wenger was fully behind Walcott's inclusion in the Under-21 squad - something of a necessity after the Frenchman's displeasure at his heavy involvement for his country over the summer. But Pearce believes, should Walcott come through okay against Macedonia and Capello suffer any drop-outs, the 20-year-old could find himself reporting for duty at Wembley on Wednesday. "We're pleased to have him in the squad," said Pearce. "It would be folly for me not to have brought him in here and this is where we can back up the club and senior team. "If Theo does play and comes through the game unscathed on Friday and there's one or two injuries maybe in the Ukraine, then there might be an opportunity. "If he wasn't here I don't think maybe he would be considered. "If he does get through the game with no problems at all and does reasonably well then I would certainly recommend that, if there's availability, he's upgraded straight into the seniors." The young lions welcome Macedonia to Coventry for what will be their first home qualifier, and third in total, as they look to book their place at the 2011 finals in Denmark. Pearce's charges had to come from behind to edge past tomorrow's opponents 2-1 in their opening Group Nine clash in Prilep last month, before being held to a 1-1 draw in Greece. The profile of the Under-21s has certainly risen dramatically over the years - with James Milner, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Joe Hart all currently in Capello's squad having impressed over the summer as England progressed to the European Championship final in Sweden. And Pearce sees no reason why some of his current crop cannot also force their way into the reckoning for a seat on the plane heading to South Africa for next year's World Cup finals. "Football changes very, very quickly," he said. "A couple of months ago when we finished the Under-21 tournament, if someone would have said James Milner is going to be a starter in the senior squad for the next two games, you would have said 'maybe or maybe not'. "He's in there now and the one thing James won't do is he won't give up his place without a fight that's for sure, Gabby as well, and Joe Hart. "It fills me with pride to see those boys forcing their way through. "I don't think there's any reason why the likes of one or two in this squad certainly couldn't break through to the seniors. It's happened quite regularly over the last couple of years and I think it will carry on happening. "It's a very important year with the World Cup in the summer." He continued: "I think there's something riding on this season for a lot of these players and I'm talking about the senior players as well."

Source: Team_Talk