Source: Telegraph
Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson recalled to England Under21 squad
Coach Stuart Pearce has left out injured Arsenal duo Walcott and Wilshere from the squad that defeated Macedonia last month, although their fitness will be monitored and they could still figure during the international break. [LNB]Pearce, ahead of the European Championship qualifiers against Portugal at Wembley on November 14 and Lithuania three days later, said: "Jack came in at the start of this season with a substitute appearance in Holland and has since had a couple of starts doing very well in each game, so he'll be disappointed he's missed this one that's for sure. [LNB] Related ArticlesWho is ready to step into Rio Ferdinand's boots for England?Driver delays international choiceSport on televisionGibbs wants to prove Arsenal worth firstEngland lose tug-of-war for Hunt"I'd think anyone that's unfortunate enough to miss out in this squad will be very disappointed. But we'll be monitoring Jack and Theo's situations. If they recover a little bit quicker than expected, then we might review the squad, but it's a shame for them. [LNB]"On the other side of things, Michael Johnson has had a massive absence from injury for a long, long time, so being in the squad will be a big lift for him." [LNB]Aston Villa youngster Fabien Delph has been included after missing out previously, while Johnson's call-up comes after the 21 year-old recovered from a long-term abdominal problem that limited him to eight City appearances last term. [LNB]He could make his third appearance for the Under-21s, 15 months after his last cap. [LNB]Pearce is hoping his youngsters will benefit from the experience of playing at Wembley. [LNB]"Coming here gives the game a little bit more significance, if it needed it," added Pearce. "The important thing is to give these players the experience of Wembley. [LNB]"It's served us well in the past with the likes of [Gabriel] Agbonlahor and [James] Milner, who have since gone on to the senior squad. [LNB]"This is why we're doing it, so these young players get a feel for the national stadium and what it's like, so hopefully sometime in the future a few of these will be stepping out for the seniors. [LNB]"While most of them won't know yet what it's like to play a senior international match, at least they can get a feel of the stadium, the crowd, and the importance of needing to win the match. [LNB]"It'll be a great atmosphere with more than 30,000 people in the ground, our biggest crowd in two and a half years since we played Italy at Wembley. [LNB]"It shows that people want to come and watch the Under-21s but also come to this stadium and see a live match here at ticket prices that are fantastic for everyone to afford."[LNB]
