Striker open to Under-21 return

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor is ready to play for England Under-21s this summer - if he gets called up. Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce is currently preparing to name his European Championship squad to take to Sweden and will consider Agbonlahor, despite a draining season.The young forward started his campaign in early July with Villa playing in the Intertoto Cup and Pearce has a bad experience of calling up a weary Agbonlahor.During England Under-21s' last European Championship in 2007, Agbonlahor went AWOL from the squad, claiming an exerting season and niggling injury meant he could not play."I played nearly every game that season and my legs felt a bit tired at the end," admitted Agbonlahor to the Daily Telegraph."I also had a niggling injury which I didn't want to make worse. It was my choice not to go and I wouldn't change it now because it's helped me to stay fit in the two seasons since."Agbonlahor shows no regrets about his decision and admits he does not know whether this will hinder his chances of playing in this campaign. But the striker is aware that a refusal to play in the Championship would not sit well with England boss Fabio Capello, and could harm his aspirations of playing in the 2010 World Cup.He added: "I don't know what's going to happen yet."Obviously, it's been a long season. That showed last week with my hamstring injury. But it's not down to me. If he (Capello) says you have to go then you have to go."

Source: SKY_Sports