Wilshere relegated to under-21s

Jack Wilshere's hopes of an extended run in Fabio Capello's squad received a blow yesterday when he was named in England's Under-21s squad for next month's European Championship double-header.

The Arsenal midfielder played in England's success over Hungary two weeks ago, replacing Steven Gerrard for the closing stages of the match.

However, Stuart Pearce has named Wilshere in his squad for qualifying matches against Portugal and Lithuania. Pearce said: "Jack's had the experience of an international cap with the seniors and his development will come. I think having the experience of playing with the Under-21s and seniors will be a help to him and is something he will have to come to terms with.

"He shouldn't feel disappointed that he's been in the senior squad and then come back to the Under-21s," Pearce added.

Wilshere will expect to be recalled into the senior squad for the friendly against France in November.

England play Portugal in Barcelos on 3 September before facing Lithuania four days later at Colchester's Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Under-21 squad (for Uefa Championship qualifiers against Portugal, 3 Sept, and Lithuania, 7 Sept): Fielding (Blackburn), Loach (Watford), Smithies (Huddersfield); Bertrand (Chelsea), Jones (Blackburn), Kelly (Liverpool), Mancienne (Chelsea), Richards (Man City), Smalling (Man Utd), Walker (Tottenham); Albrighton (Aston Villa), Cleverley (Man Utd), Cork (Chelsea), Henderson (Sunderland), Lansbury (Arsenal), Moses (Wigan), Muamba (Bolton), Rodwell (Everton), Rose (Tottenham), Wilshere (Arsenal); Carroll (Newcastle), Delfouneso (Aston Villa), Sturridge (Chelsea), Welbeck (Man Utd).