England under-21 manager Stuart Pearce yesterday expressed the hope that Stephen Ireland would put his troubles behind him and fulfil his "vast potential".

"As a player I think he's outstanding," said the former Manchester City boss. "Even from the Academy you could see he had a fantastic eye for a pass and could pick a defence open. Obviously there are one or two issues that he has to resolve in his personal life, which I was aware of when I was manager there, but the club are bending over backwards to make sure Stephen is going to be as available as he can be for club and international level.

"He certainly has the credentials to become a valuable member of his country's squad but he has to make sure he is on the football pitch. Quite often that is the best place for people to be - sometimes it's where you forget your troubles if you have any."

Pearce said he was happy his successor at the club, Sven Goran Eriksson, had continued to see Ireland as a first team player. "The one thing he's been given at City is a chance - he was picked regularly when I was there, Sven has come in and even though he has a lot of money he has seen Stephen's potential.

"I think he has a bright career, he's still a young man. He has to listen to the likes of Richard Dunne - who's been a shining light over the last few years. Stephen hasn't got far to look to see how to do it."