Stuart Pearce unfazed by lack of experienced strikers

The lack of any experienced strikers for Tomorrow’s friendly against Netherlands is no cause for concern, England’s caretaker manager Stuart Pearce said today.

Pearce picked five forwards for the Euro 2012 warm-up with Wayne Rooney, Darren Bent, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Fraizer Campbell in contention for the starting places.

However, Rooney – who has 73 caps and 28 goals for England – pulled out with a throat infection on Sunday while Bent was prevented from picking up his 13th cap when he was withdrawn after suffering a serious ankle injury playing for Aston Villa.

Pearce, in charge initially just for tomorrow’s match following Fabio Capello’s resignation, decided against calling up any replacements such as Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe and said he was happy with the three strikers he has left.

Campbell, who has just returned to the Sunderland side after an 18-month injury layoff, is in the England squad for the first time while Sturridge has made one appearance as a substitute and Welbeck three. None of them have scored for England.

Asked if playing without an established international striker was a problem, Pearce replied: “We’re in the home run for the championship in the summer and we have to find out about one or two individuals who have been around the squad and this is a great opportunity to find out.

“To play against one of the favourites for the tournament in front of a full house is a fantastic opportunity and there is no one in the squad that I would fear putting on the football pitch, they wouldn’t be in the squad otherwise.”

Bent could miss June’s Euros, when England face France, Sweden and Ukraine, because of his injury while Rooney is suspended for the first two group games.

As well as Rooney and Bent withdrawing, right back Kyle Walker and midfielder Tom Cleverley also pulled out leaving 21 players fit for training at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.

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