Former Southampton youth chief Huw Jennings feels England are right not to rush introducing Arsenal superkid Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to international football.

Jennings, now at Fulham, worked with Oxlade-Chamberlain at St Mary's.

"I think he would have handled an England debut now because he has great self-belief but whether it was too early in his football development, I think possibly yes," Jennings told the London Evening Standard.

"He hasn't played that many times so I think the danger of promoting someone very quickly is that if it doesn't go well, what do you do?

"Do you decide he can't hack or it is a step too far for him? But if you prepare him for that step, you are far more likely to reap the dividend. It is a tricky balance. Some players can fly straight in and succeed.

"But I think if you are looking ahead to the European Championships, I would think with all the changes that have taken place in Alex's life over the last few months, it has probably come a bit early.

"I go back to something Wenger alluded to is that while he may be able to cope with that experience - and who knows how England will perform - the fear is the consequence of that in the following season. He will have had a very little break and it will be difficult for him to sustain his progress. I think the danger of over-exposure could be there for Alex for 2012-13."