England U21 coach Stuart Pearce accepts Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to block Danny Welbeck's call-up.

Pearce insists there was absolutely no animosity over the issue.

United have been one of the most obliging clubs in the Barclays Premier League when it comes to releasing young players for international games and Pearce maintains that will continue to be the case.

"I spoke with Alex," Pearce said. "I phoned him on Friday evening after the game had finished. I apologised for waking him up with it being so late and I asked whether it would be possible for us to have Danny.

"But he said no. I knew I was taking a gamble asking the question. He said 'listen, he's flown to Montenegro. You are now asking me to fly him back, then fly him to Oslo when we have got a big game at the weekend'. He had already been on the pitch in Montenegro.

"He declined the offer and I can quite understand that. I had to ask the question, to make sure I was doing my job properly."