Pearce Sure James Can Bounce Back

Stuart Pearce believes David James can find himself back in the England side, despite him dropping a league to join Bristol City and the fact that he is now 40.

The England Under-21 coach worked with James when they were both at Manchester City and Pearce believes that James still has a lot to offer.

Pearce believes that James' ego would have taken a blow after not being picked for the England squad that faces Hungary in a friendly on Wednesday, but he knows that the new Bristol City keeper will bounce back.

Pearce said: "You pick the best possible players. David played three out of the four World Cup games in the summer and, if his form is good enough, I think he'll fight his way back in.

"With David as well, he has always kept himself available to play for England.

"He is very passionate about playing for his country.

"Whilst it will have hurt him for a bit when the squad was picked and he wasn't in it, I am sure he will roll his sleeves up and respond.

"He will be saying 'I mean to make sure my form is good enough to have the opportunity to break back in.'"

Pearce was unsurprised by James' decision to move to Ashton Gate.

He added: "David is a flagship signing which has put the club on the map to push on for the Premier League.

"I wasn't surprised he signed totally. He is 40 and extremely fit.

"I worked with David at Man City and he wanted to leave to go to the south because of family commitments. Now he has done that with Bristol City."

Pearce's young Lions take on Uzbekistan Under-21's at Ashton Gate on Tuesday night.

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