Stuart Pearce has revealed that Town striker Connor Wickham will make his England U21 debut at some point during today’s friendly against Germany in Wiesbaden (live on ESPN and the FA website, 5pm). The England U21s coach has been a regular visitor to Portman Road this season to keep a close eye on the Blues frontman.
Pearce is a big fan of the 17-year-old, who netted the winning goal as England beat Spain 2-1 in the final of the European U17 Championships in Liechtenstein in the summer: "Connor is a target man with a touch more.
"He holds the ball up well, he's fantastic in the air. It's like with Peter Crouch. If you say he's just a target man, you are doing him a disservice. His eye for the game is quite good.
"I have to temper that with the fact that Connor may be up to five years younger than some here. I have to be careful with him. He's a clever player and clever players find a way to cope.”
Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell has also been impressed with Wickham, who has been moved up after winning U19 caps earlier this season: "He's going to be a real handful. He's only 17 but he towers above me. They must feed him on raw steaks.”
Former Town academy schoolboy (and Blues supporter) Scott Loach, currently with Watford, is expected to start in goal for Pearce’s side.
Meanwhile, former Blue Jon Walters, hugely critical of Town manager Roy Keane in recent days, has praised Keane’s role in helping him to reach the full Ireland squad ahead of Wednesday’s friendly with Norway: "I said what I had to say when I left, and people made a little bit more of what actually happened.
"For all the fall out at the end, I learnt a lot of good things from him as well and positive things, as I have from every manager I have played under.
"You take little bits from each one. When I was at Ipswich, he made me captain and I would like to think as well he helped improve my game when I was there.”