FA insist that Carroll and Wilshere play in tournament

The Football Association expects two senior England internationals, Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll, to play in this summer's European U21 Championships but will first liaise closely with concerned clubs.

Arsenal and Liverpool fear their players being exhausted.

Wilshere, 19, has already played 43 times for Arsenal and England this season. Carroll, 22, has played 25 times for Newcastle United, Liverpool and England in an injury-hit year.

The Under-21s coach, Stuart Pearce, is also looking at others having busy seasons such as Micah Richards, Jordan Henderson, Danny Welbeck, Chris Smalling, Fabrice Muamba and Daniel Sturridge. Manchester City's keenness to release players for the Under-21s could now be tempered by the injury to Richards, who damaged a hamstring playing against Denmark on Friday.

Pearce is determined to select the strongest possible squad for the summer tournament in Denmark. The FA and the seniors' coach, Fabio Capello, fully support Pearce, although they are all aware club sensitivities must be dealt with first.

"The European Under-21s is a really important tournament," said Capello, who knows Wilshere's view on the subject. "He wants to play.

"This is a decision for Stuart Pearce and the manager of Arsenal, Arsène Wenger. Wilshere is playing a lot of games this season. He is a really important player for Arsenal. Now he is very important for us. But also for the Under-21s.

"I haven't the exclusive rights of Wilshere. I think there are three really important players for the future of England. One is Carroll, another is [Theo] Walcott. These ones can play in the first XI always because they are really good players."

With bodies still developing, some youngsters need a break this summer. "I know, I know," replied Capello. "So will all the players who play the South America Cup. But Carroll didn't play for two months this year [with a thigh injury]. It is possible it is good for him to play more games."

Wilshere expressed a willingness when asked on Saturday whether he would play in the Under-21 championship. "This is international football and I want to play in any international football," Wilshere said. "It's up to Stuart Pearce and Fabio Capello."

When asked whether he had spoken to Wenger about the matter, Wilshere added: "I always speak to the manager at Arsenal and I will again. I am sure that Pearce and Capello will talk to him as well."

The FA has long believed that young players need as much tournament experience as possible, preparing them better for future World Cups and European Championships.

This feeling was strengthened during England's hapless trip to South Africa last year where the players struggled to deal with the "down time" between games, quickly becoming bored. Early familiarisation with summer events, dealing with time away and experience of the challenges posed by foreign teams and referees, is considered crucial.

"This tournament is important," added Capello. "I heard that one Barcelona player in the first XI, a very important player for Spain, said: 'I want to play the Under-21s'."

This is believed to be Sergio Busquets, whose Spanish side are England's first opponents at Euro 2011. Pearce's side face Iceland, another finalist, at Deepdale on Monday night.

Source: The Telegraph

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