Pearce plays down Terry and Bridge rift

23 February 2010 14:38

Stuart Pearce does not anticipate any problems between John Terry and Wayne Bridge when the pair meet up for England duty next week.

Both men are expected to be in the squad Fabio Capello names on Saturday for England's friendly with African Nations Cup winners Egypt at Wembley on March 3. It will be the first time the pair have shared a dressing room since the stories emerged about Terry's private life that resulted in Capello sacking him as skipper.

"I don't see it being an issue," said Pearce, current Under-21 coach and also a valued member of Capello's backroom team, who was speaking at the launch of the Nationwide Right Hand Fan competition.

"We had a situation that I didn't feel warranted a week's worth of front-page news.

"Most people have backed the way that Fabio has handled it and now I don't think there will be a problem at all.

"When you turn up to represent England, the only thing that is important is England winning.

"People will be professional. Forever and a day there have been individuals in dressing rooms who don't get on with each other.

"But you leave all that to one side when you turn up to represent your country. That is the only thing that matters."

Source: PA