Danny's the boy for Pearce
SUNDERLAND youngsters Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson starred for England Under-21s last night as they booked a European Championship play-off spot.
Welbeck – on loan at the Stadium of Light from Manchester United – netted a brace in a 3-0 victory over Lithuania.
Henderson helped set up a goal, while Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere came off the bench at Colchester's Weston Homes Community Stadium.
Boss Stuart Pearce will do all he can to gather the strongest possible squad for the the crunch play-off next month.
Wilshere, 18, had been involved in the seniors for their friendly against Hungary, as Fabio Capello looked to the future by also including Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs and Manchester City winger Adam Johnson.
Pearce, though, will press the England manager for the best talent available ahead of the two-legged play-off to reach Denmark – which could yet be against Scotland.
"I will speak to Fabio, give him a piece of paper and say that 'this is the squad I want'," Pearce maintained.
"In August, he said 'you are not having Gibbs and Wilshere'. It will be the same this time – although I might get cheeky and ask for (Theo) Walcott."
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
