England will do what's best for Jack Wilshere, insists Pearce

The 18-year-old Arsenal midfielder is set to feature for the under-21s in the first leg of their crunch European Championship play-off against Romania at Carrow Road tonight.

However, after also being included in Fabio Capello's senior squad, which met up yesterday evening, the teenager could then find himself heading off to Hertfordshire rather than out to Botosani.

Wilshere won his first senior cap as an 83rd-minute substitute in the 2-1 friendly win over Hungary in August.

However, he was not required by Capello for last month's qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.

Pearce accepts that it is a delicate balancing act, and one which will be done with the best interests of the player at the core.

"What we have tried to achieve certainly at the younger age groups, is to upgrade the players if they're going to go in and play," Pearce said.

"If they are not going to play, leave them in the age group where they can actually play 90 minutes and get 90 minutes' experience.

"I will speak with Fabio and, inevitably, the decision on what happens to Jack will rest on Fabio.

"But whatever decision Fabio, and probably after discussions with myself, comes to, it is for the benefit of the player, really, and the advancement of the player."

Much has been made about Wilshere's progress this season, having returned ready for the challenge of regular Barclays Premier League action with the Gunners following a successful loan spell at Bolton.