Stuart Pearce will name an experimental squad for England’s friendly against Holland on Wednesday.

The interim manager spent the day calling senior players to inform them they would not be involved because he will use the game to look at younger talent. 

Joleon Lescott, Michael Dawson, Jermain Defoe and Bobby Zamora were among those contacted by Pearce, with the manager assuring them it was only because of their age that they were being omitted for this game.

It led to speculation that Manchester United’s Tom Cleverley could be part of a squad including Micah Richards,
Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Kyle Walker.

Opportunity knocks: Tom Cleverley (centre) could feature against Holland

It will be interesting to see if Pearce also turns to the Swansea duo of Scott Sinclair and Nathan Dyer.

Pearce is expected to include some senior players. Wayne Rooney, Scott Parker and Steven Gerrard are all thought to be in the squad, and one of those is sure to be Pearce’s captain.

That decision may be delayed, though, until he knows which players emerge from the weekend games unscathed.

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