Two new faces for Pearce's Lions

Thursday, 01 October, 2009

Stuart Pearce names his Under-21s squad for match in Coventry

Stuart Pearce has included two new faces in his England squad to face Macedonia in Coventry next week.

Chelsea defender Sam Hutchinson and West Ham forward Zavon Hines both receive their first calls into the Under-21s as the squad looks ahead to their third 2011 UEFA European Championship Qualifier on Friday 9 October at the Ricoh Arena.

Hines is yet to play for England at any level, while Hutchinson has caps for the U18s (1) and U19s (4).

"I went to see Sam play in the League Cup against QPR and he played very well," Pearce told TheFA.com. "I’ve had good reports on him at the younger age groups from Brian Eastick and I also spoke to John Terry about him and his character and he spoke very highly of him. He’s in on merit that’s for sure and I think he’ll add something to our squad.

"He’s been out for a long time with injury and if he hadn’t been injured then he’d have probably been in our squad a while ago. It’s a great opportunity for him, not just at Chelsea, but with us having a look at him for the Under-21s."

The 24-man squad also sees the return of Micah Richards, Ryan Bertrand, Fabien Delph and Andy Carroll who all missed the away double-header in Macedonia and Greece last month.

England beat the Macedonians 2-1 in Prilep, coming from a goal down at half-time. Freddie Sears, who got the equaliser that afternoon, is ruled out of this match with an injury.

Pearce continued: "We were fortunate enough to win the game. I don’t think we played particularly well on the day in very very hot conditions, but we came out of it with the win in the end.

"We have to make sure we capitalise on the game at home next week. If we want to be serious contenders in getting out of the group, we know we have to go at them and get all three points."

In September's second outing in Tripoli, Daniel Sturridge was on target early on against Greece as England picked up a 1-1 draw.

Pearce's team currently sit on four points in Group Nine with a place in the Finals in Denmark their goal.

"We don’t know how good or bad the draw in Greece was – was it a good point won or two points dropped," added Pearce. "I don’t suppose we’ll find out for another three or four matches.

"I believe this will be a tougher qualification than last time. But the more time we’re with these players, the more we get to know them and the more we can shape what we’re going to do on a match day.

"It’s been difficult getting a new group of players together, but at this moment we’re undefeated so we need to try and keep that run going for as long as possible.

"Last campaign we managed it for the best part of two years, so with this group we’re going to try and do the same."

The England Squad

GOALKEEPERS

DOB

Caps

Goals

Frankie Fielding

04.04.88

Leeds United (on loan from Blackburn)

Scott Loach

27.05.88

Watford

Alex McCarthy

03.12.89