Pearce hits out at Blackburn winger Bentley

The winger pulled out of the Under-21 England’s Under-21 squad for the Euro Championship in Holland next week, saying he was too tired.

Pearce said: “I don’t agree with it. I have to be careful what I say but I think it’s a disgrace, to be perfectly honest.

“I told him I don’t agree with it in any way, shape or form. I feel as though I’ve been supportive to him. He wasn’t in the Under-21 side when I took over the job.

“I put him in, I thought he was one of our best players in the two matches we had him.”