Pearce heaps praise on Arsenal youngster Wilshere after U21 win

England U21 coach Stuart Pearce heaped praise on Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere for his contribution in their defeat of Lithuania.

Psycho left the Arsenal ace on the bench for last Friday's clash in Portugal following his involvement in a nightclub fracas 10 days ago.

England Under-21 boss Pearce said the 18-year-old playmaker, who made his senior debut against Hungary last month, had taken his 'eye off the ball'.

But, yesterday, Wilshere had his attentions firmly tuned into helping the Three Lions reach the play-offs for the Euro 2011 finals in Denmark.

Before the pint-sized Gunner came on at half-time, England were struggling to break down plucky Lithuania.

Psycho said: "Jack gave us a lift when he came on.

"For a young man who, in his own mind, expected to be playing on Friday and then on the back of that was not in the starting line-up again, he has handled that extremely well. Jack will readily admit he got caught up with the headlines in the papers, so it was important that he put that to bed.

"When these boys met up 10 days ago, it was two must-win games or we were finished - and I'm delighted with the way they responded."