Pearce said McAllister's willingness to allow midfielder Fabian Delph to feature in tonight's friendly against the Czech Republic at Bramall Lane – despite his involvement in last night's FA Cup replay at Northampton – was exactly the type of attitude that would help England win trophies.

Pearce believes the national team should always take priority and praised McAllister for allowing Delph to experience his first taste of the Under-21 set-up.

"I spoke to Gary about the fact Fabian was involved with Leeds on Saturday and Tuesday and he said, 'No, you keep him as part of your squad'," said Pearce.

"That sort of support from club managers is absolutely essential from my point of view.

"Maybe some managers kick up a stink and don't want us to feature one or two players, but Gary wanted Fabian to be a part of our squad and that's a great credit to him as far as I'm concerned.

"He can see the benefit of the lad being involved and thinks it's better for him to spend time with us, which is a great attitude."

Pearce – one of the most patriotic sportsmen England has produced – insisted his views on the club-versus-country situation were no different when he himself was a club manager.

"As a Premiership manager I supported all my players to go away and play internationally and, in fact, there were times when I had to talk players into going away with their various countries– although I'm not talking about England players when I say that," he added.

"I just think it's vitally important that everyone gets as much international experience as possible and I'm not doing or saying anything that is foreign to what I did as a club manager.

"Support to the international side is paramount, because if England are going to win something – and we haven't won anything for a long, long time – then we need to be picking our best players.

"I would still say the same even if I wasn't the Under-21 manager because I'm not someone who wears a different hat on a different day."

Pearce said he had been greatly impressed by 18-year-old Delph on a recent visit to watch him train in Yorkshire and also during last year's Under-19 European Championship finals in the Czech Republic.

"I was away with the England Under-19s last summer and Fabian impressed me then, as he did when I went to watch Leeds train a couple of weeks ago," said Pearce.

"Having spoken to Gary McAllister and seen Fabian again for myself, you can just tell that he is a young lad who is really enjoying his football – a lad who's really got his tail up.

"Basically, we feel he is someone who must be in the Under-21 squad now."

Pearce, who will use tonight's game as important preparation for next summer's European Championships in Sweden, said he had also been hugely impressed with Sheffield United defender Kyle Naughton, 20, who is also celebrating his first call-up.

"Kyle is another lad who's doing very well, and I think it's important to stress that he's in my squad because he is doing well – not because we're playing this game at Sheffield United's ground," added Pearce.

"He's been on our radar for quite a while and has played extremely well every time we've seen him.

"Like Fabian Delph, he is a young man who has turned in some fine performances at club level and very much deserves to be a part of the squad.

"Now it's up to both players, whether it's on the training pitch or in a match situation, to say, 'Hey, I want to stay in this squad and be a part of it'."

Pearce said he was anticipating a tough test against the Czech Republic (7.45pm).

"They will be very well-organised, physically strong and difficult to break down.

"That means it's going to be a great challenge and one that will stand us in good stead as we look ahead to next summer," he added.