Hobbs can make int'l grade - Pearson

The defender was watched by England Under-21 assistant boss Steve Wigley last weekend and produced a man-of-the-match performance as the Foxes defeated their Championship promotion rivals Cardiff 1-0 at the Walkers Stadium. It was not the first time U21 manager Stuart Pearce has had the centre-half watched this season. Hobbs has played an integral part in Leicester's promotion push and Pearson insists the former Liverpool youngster can play at the highest level. "He is still a young player but I am sure he will be able to play in the Premier League, I have no doubts about that," said Pearson. "Technically he is a good player but his character is also right and he is level-headed. He is maturing but he has had the benefit of playing alongside experienced players as well. "He has had exposure to the right challenges during his development. Last year was a good year for him in the sense that he was a regular for us during a successful title-winning season. I have no doubts he can play at the highest level."