Alan D
08 Dec 2005, 03:23 PM
Pearce bangs Vassell drum
By Chris Stanton - Created on 8 Dec 2005
Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce has trumpeted the claims of Darius Vassell for a place in next summer's World Cup squad.
With the countdown now on to Germany 2006, Pearce has given England coach Sven Goran Eriksson a gentle reminder - if any prompting were necessary - of Vassell's international claims.
The summer signing from Aston Villa has excelled at City where he has formed a profitable partnership with ex-England man Andy Cole.
Vassell remains on the international periphery but Pearce believes if Vassell performs to his potential between now and next summer then Eriksson would have little choice but to include the 25-year-old.
"If he plays like he did on Sunday and plays like he did against Aston Villa, I think it would be impossible to keep him out of the [England] squad," Pearce told Sky Sports News.
Pearce hinted that only the inconsistency which too frequently dogged his time at Villa could scupper Vassell's hopes.
"He has got to try and get to those standards and maintain them, if he did that over a consistent period it'd be good," continued the former England international.
"I can't see four people consistently offering more than what he's given us over those two games that's for sure."
Pearce is delighted to welcome the likes of Claudio Reyna and Trevor Sinclair back into the first team fold and believes his old guard to be key to sustaining City's form over Christmas.
"I'm very pleased, we've got the majority of senior players back fit and we need to keep them fit, especially for the Christmas period," added Pearce.
"If we have them fit and fighting for a place I feel like everyone has their tail up at the moment."
The City boss opted for experience over youth last time out at Charlton but praised the continued application of those players who failed to make the cut for the trip to The Valley.
Pearce said: "There are one or two who have not been involved in it and are disappointed but they've not shown that on the training pitch.
"I've talked with everyone who has not been involved and said 'Look, it's there for you but your form will dictate that not me'."
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http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=332483&CPID=8&clid=&lid=&title=Pearce+bangs+Vassell+drum
By Chris Stanton - Created on 8 Dec 2005
Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce has trumpeted the claims of Darius Vassell for a place in next summer's World Cup squad.
With the countdown now on to Germany 2006, Pearce has given England coach Sven Goran Eriksson a gentle reminder - if any prompting were necessary - of Vassell's international claims.
The summer signing from Aston Villa has excelled at City where he has formed a profitable partnership with ex-England man Andy Cole.
Vassell remains on the international periphery but Pearce believes if Vassell performs to his potential between now and next summer then Eriksson would have little choice but to include the 25-year-old.
"If he plays like he did on Sunday and plays like he did against Aston Villa, I think it would be impossible to keep him out of the [England] squad," Pearce told Sky Sports News.
Pearce hinted that only the inconsistency which too frequently dogged his time at Villa could scupper Vassell's hopes.
"He has got to try and get to those standards and maintain them, if he did that over a consistent period it'd be good," continued the former England international.
"I can't see four people consistently offering more than what he's given us over those two games that's for sure."
Pearce is delighted to welcome the likes of Claudio Reyna and Trevor Sinclair back into the first team fold and believes his old guard to be key to sustaining City's form over Christmas.
"I'm very pleased, we've got the majority of senior players back fit and we need to keep them fit, especially for the Christmas period," added Pearce.
"If we have them fit and fighting for a place I feel like everyone has their tail up at the moment."
The City boss opted for experience over youth last time out at Charlton but praised the continued application of those players who failed to make the cut for the trip to The Valley.
Pearce said: "There are one or two who have not been involved in it and are disappointed but they've not shown that on the training pitch.
"I've talked with everyone who has not been involved and said 'Look, it's there for you but your form will dictate that not me'."
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http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=332483&CPID=8&clid=&lid=&title=Pearce+bangs+Vassell+drum