England U21 coach Stuart Pearce is convinced Connor Wickham can make it with Sunderland.

Pearce hopes Black Cats manager Martin O'Neill might in the weeks to come be able to "reap the benefit" of the form the youngster has found with his country.

After victory over Northern Ireland, Pearce said: "He has got presence. He held the ball up very well tonight and I think his energy levels were as high as we have seen at this level as well.

"He pressed and shut down from the front, which we expect our frontman to do.

"He can come away from the game tonight and back to his club, and hopefully the club will reap the benefit over the next few weeks and months building up to our next international."