Wigan whizzkid Victor Moses handed England U21 promotion to ward off Nigeria interest

22 February 2010 18:22
Wigan forward Victor Moses has been handed his first ever call-up into England's Under-21 set-up after snubbing interest from Nigeria.[LNB]Sportsmail exclusively revealed last week that Stuart Pearce was eager to promote the 19-year-old whizzkid into the Under-21 squad to fend off interest from the Super Eagles.[LNB]The Nigerian Football Federation had made contact with Moses with regards to handing the teenager a senior call-up for next week's clash against Paraguay. [LNB] Call-up: Victor Moses[LNB]But Moses has handed Pearce, and senior boss Fabio Capello, a major boost by turning down the chance to play for the country of his birth.[LNB] Meanwhile, Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has not been included in the England Under-21 squadfor the European Championship clash against Greece at Doncaster's KeepmoatStadium next week. [LNB]The 20-year-old has not played a seniors game this season but could be used byFabio Capello in the friendly against Egypt a week on Wednesday, the same dayStuart Pearce's Under-21s play. [LNB]Missing: Theo Walcott[LNB]Walcott's shoulder, knee and hamstring injuries this season have limited hisimpact for club and country, with Aaron Lennon appearing to be winning the raceto start on Capello's right flank after playing in the final three World Cupqualifiers. [LNB]Lennon, however, has been out with a groin strain since December, while Walcottlooked back on form when Capello watched him against Sunderland at the weekend. [LNB]Walcott had played for the Under-21s earlier in the campaign but Pearce has notincluded him in a 24-man squad that sees Moses and Aston Villa'sNathan Delfouneso receive their first call-ups. [LNB]'We just felt that Nathan has got a great commodity in his pace,' Pearcesaid, ahead of the important clash on the road to the finals in Denmark nextyear. [LNB]'I've seen him play for the Under-19s and he can also play out wide as well asdown the middle. And Victor has the ability to go past a player and be amatch-winner, so between them they give us something different.' [LNB]Jack Rodwell, Lee Cattermole, Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere return toPearce's squad following injuries during the last international break.[LNB]'The last squad we picked, there were eight players who had played theprevious Saturday. [LNB] First call: Nathan Delfouneso (left)[LNB]'I've named a 24-man squad for this one and there are 14players who played at the weekend, so we've got a bigger number who are gettingfirst-team football,' added Pearce on thefa.com.[LNB]'There are the likes of Jack Cork and Jack Wilshere, who have recently goneout on loan to Premier League clubs, while Victor signed for Wigan last month.[LNB]'Amongst this group there are those like (Michael) Mancienne, (Ryan) Bertrand,(Scott) Loach and (Fabrice) Muamba who have played a lot of first-team footballthis season too. So we have some experience there that can be very important forus.[LNB]England Under-21 squad to play Greece at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium onWednesday, March 3:Fielding (Rochdale), Loach (Watford), McCarthy (Yeovil); Bertrand (Reading),Mancienne (Wolves), Naughton (Middlesbrough), Richards (Man City), Smalling(Fulham), Tomkins (West Ham), Walker (Tottenham); Cleverley (Watford), Cork(Burnley), Delph (Aston Villa), Wilshere (Bolton), Muamba (Bolton), Gosling(Everton), Lansbury (Watford), Moses (Wigan), Cattermole (Sunderland), Rodwell(Everton); Carroll (Newcastle), Delfouneso (Aston Villa), Sturridge (Chelsea),Welbeck (Preston).' [LNB] Nigeria attempt to beat England in the chase for Wigan forward MosesWigan new boy Victor Moses willing to bide his time at the topMartinez set to pass over Moses for Bolton as he eases him into top flight[LNB] 

Source: Daily_Mail