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Pearce expects Gabby impact

14 Oct 2008 - 07:41:21

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England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce believes Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor will be the next rising star to make the step up to the full national side.

Agbonlahor, 22, has been included in two of Fabio Capello's England squads in recent months but has yet to win his first international cap.

But after starring for the under-21s in last week's UEFA Under-21 Championship play-off 3-2 first-leg victory over Wales, Pearce is confident the striker has what it takes to make the step up.

"He's a major threat at this level and he's a major threat in the Premier League," said Pearce.

"He is one of the big driving forces behind Aston Villa when they do well. The cutting edge in their team certainly comes from him.

"He is improving. If you ask me if I think he can get even better, then I think so.

"I think that will come over the next couple of years. He needs to try to have a tilt at getting into the seniors on a regular basis.

"I think he can improve all-round. His pace is legendary and I don't think he can improve that but his sharpness around the box, goalscoring and hold-up play can all improve.

"He's a very strong boy and there is senior football in him as well.

"That has to be our aim to get him from this team into the seniors on a regular basis, if we can."