Stuart Pearce believes there'll be no favourites in Fabio Capello's England squad.

England U21 boss Pearce, who is now part of Capello's backroom team, revealed: "Fabio is a very driven man and very professional in his outlook. He doesn't suffer fools gladly. In the short time I've been working with him, it has become apparent he wants to win every game and will always pick his strongest squad to do that.

"I've talked to him at length about the players who might be available for selection. He has asked for my opinion about certain individuals and I've filled him in with my views.

"But Fabio is his own man, a very strong man. And the squad he has named is his choice alone.

"Sentiment does not come into his selections, so there is no political undercurrent as to why he hasn't picked David for this squad.

"I don't think he's making statements of any description. The bottom line is he has chosen a squad that doesn't involve one individual. Now that individual has to fight tooth and nail to be selected again."