England U21 coach Stuart Pearce is happy to have called up Derby County midfielder Will Hughes.

Hughes has been linked with several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester City, but Pearce believes he is benefiting from playing regular first team football at Pride Park.

He said: "Derby have given him his chance in the first team. Some people are reticent to give youngsters an opportunity in first teams.

"But credit to Nigel and Derby. They are happy to put players in the first team and the experience comes from playing matches as I found out, not training week in and week out.

"He seems a very level headed young man and that's all the good for England and Derby."