Welbeck upbeat over England future (From The Northern Echo)

Welbeck upbeat over England future

9:25am Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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DANNY WELBECK believes the Under-21s have helped show Fabio Capello the future is bright for England.

The Young Lions will battle it out for a place at the 2011 European Championship over a two-legged play-off next month – which could yet be against Auld Enemy Scotland, who have been seeded for tomorrow’s draw – after they beat Lithuania 3-0 at Colchester’s Weston Homes Community Stadium on Tuesday.

Welbeck, on loan at Sunderland from Manchester United, scored a brace, while Aston Villa youngster Marc Albrighton was also on target after England had been galvanised following the secondhalf introduction of Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere.

The young Gunner has already had a taste of life in the senior squad for the friendly against Hungary in August, while full-back Kieran Gibbs and Adam Johnson have both been retained for the opening Euro 2012 qualifiers.

It has been a story of steady progression by Pearce’s men over the past few seasons, with Theo Walcott and James Milner now also very much part of Capello’s first-team plans.

While such aspirations may be a while off yet for 19-yearold Welbeck, the Manchester United Academy graduate maintains there are plenty of reasons for all of the Young Lions to stay positive.

“You can see them going up and joining the senior squad, so it gives you that little bit of belief and inspiration that you can do it yourself,’’ said Welbeck.

“There is talent all over the Under-21s team, some quality players.

“The England players didn’t quite do what they planned to do at the World Cup and the media was saying its time to look to the next generation and see how things can be done there – but its up to the main man and he will choose what he wants to do.”

Welbeck added: “Stuart Pearce points out that it is not always going to be that you go up and you are there for rest of the time, it is going to be a rocky ride – you could go up, come down, go up, come down.

“It is just if you can maintain your performances and, hopefully, everyone can get a shot at that.”