Source: Northern_Echo
Henderson proud to be picked for England
DENMARK-BOUND Jordan Henderson has his sights fixed on firing his country to glory this summer after claiming he was never going to pull out of England Under-21 duty.[LNB] Just 24 hours after helping to bring the curtain down on Sunderland's Premier League season with a victory at West Ham United, Henderson was named in Stuart Pearce's squad for next month's European Championships.[LNB] It means that, after a short break, he will figure in the friendly with Norway at Southampton's St Mary's on June 5 and then head to Scandinavia for the finals.[LNB] The Euros start in 18 days and England open with a Group B fixture with Spain on June 12, before two more group fixtures with Ukraine and Czech Republic.[LNB] If they make it to the final Henderson could be away for almost a month, but Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has given him the backing to go away on international duty.[LNB] Bruce's stance is not something that has been mirrored nationally, with Arsene Wenger and Kenny Dalglish two of the managers to have voiced concerns. That has led to both Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll being left out.[LNB] But Henderson said: I am feeling fine, I am not tired and I want to go away with the Under-21s and really enjoy it. It's great to go away with the Under-21s and be part of a group in a big tournament.[LNB] I was always hoping I would make the final 23 because it will be great to represent your country in whatever tournament. I am looking forward to it.[LNB] There are a lot of good teams in the European Championships, we all know about Spain, but we have plenty of good players ourselves.[LNB] Whoever goes, we know we have a strong group so we could do well. Hopefully, it will be a successful tournament and we can do really well in it.[LNB] With Wilshere's request to be left out granted by Pearce, and Carroll rested because of an injury-plagued start to life at Liverpool, Henderson will be one of England's key players in Denmark.[LNB] The 20-year-old, joined in the squad by Middlesbrough's Jason Steele, heads into the summer with six caps for the Under-21s and he hopes the experience will lead to further appearances for the senior squad.[LNB] I got great experience with England, said Henderson, who was handed full England honours in last November's defeat to France. Hopefully, I will get my chance again. Once you have tasted it, you just want it more and that's what I want to do.[LNB] I started every game this season except for one and I feel like all the experience I have gained is helping me to push towards that.[LNB] I'm grateful to have played in almost every game for the manager, but I am not tired, just looking forward to the summer and playing for the Under-21s.[LNB] That's two big seasons I have had now, so I have to be happy with that. I want to continue to progress though.[LNB] While success in Denmark will be the subject of his attention for the next six weeks, Henderson is satisfied that he can go away having helped Sunderland to finish tenth in the top-flight.[LNB] The Academy graduate knows exactly what it meant for the supporters to finish ahead of Newcastle, after the Magpies had threatened to finish as top dogs in their first season after promotion.[LNB] But Henderson, who insisted he was happy to be staying at Sunderland beyond the summer amid interest from Manchester United and Manchester City, is not entirely content with Sunderland's placing.[LNB] Henderson said: We have finished above Newcastle and that helps to make up for what happened against them earlier in the season when we lost 5-1. The top ten makes up for it a bit.[LNB] We wanted to finish in the top ten at the start of the season, but I think we have to be disappointed with the run we went on.[LNB] We have to deal with the ups and down. It is a little disappointing that we had that run, but we finished on a high to give something back to the fans.[LNB] Football is full of ifs and buts. You get out what you put in and top ten is a good finish, but next year we will want to improve again and everyone at the club is looking forward.[LNB] * Sunderland will play their opening pre-season friendly against York City at Bootham Crescent on Wednesday, July 13 (ko 7.30pm).[LNB] [LNB]
