England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce believes Manchester City defender Micah Richards is not far away from a return to the senior side.Pearce stressed the importance of the players with a depth of Premier League experience in his squad being able to respond with maturity if they were not named in the senior party. And the defender produced the kind of performance in the 2-1 international friendly win over Slovenia at Hull's KC Stadium which will leave England boss Fabio Capello in no doubt of his pedigree to succeed at the top level.

Richards was solid in defence, a constant menace from set pieces and produced the kind of mature performance at right-back which will make it difficult for Capello to leave him out of the forthcoming World Cup qualifying campaign.

"The thing that impressed me the most over the past couple of days is Micah's attitude which has been great - he is talent we have to nurture," Pearce said.

"There has been speculation that when players drop down they won't be motivated to play for the under-21s but that has not been the case with Micah at all. Players have to be able to step up and step down - they do it abroad and we have to get into that mentality of doing it here.

"And that will serve Micah in good stead. He can't be in the wilderness of not being in the seniors and not be in the under-21s and be in between the two squads.

"This is what we are trying to build towards - players coming to the under-21 side and seeing it as a pathway back to the senior squad. If they do well here, and do well for their club as he has done then they will get their chance."

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