England hero Stuart Pearce has hailed the attitude of Wolves defender Richard Stearman after handing the youngster his first under-21 cap last night.

The under-21 boss praised Stearman’s commitment after the Wolves summer signing finally made his bow last night.

Stearman produced an assured display and helped secure a clean sheet as England beat the Czech Republic 2-0 at Bramall Lane.

And he and partner Nedum Onuoha, of Manchester City, earned praise from their manager after filling in for a host of missing regulars.

“I was delighted with Stearman,” said Pearce. “It’s probably the strongest position we’ve got, bearing in mind David Wheater, Stephen Tayor, Micah Richards and Michael Mancienne weren’t available.

“But I had two solid players putting on solid performances at the heart of my defence.

“Nedum Onuoha was with us in the previous tournament and I know all about him from my Manchester City days, but Stearman did well where some players get criticised.

“Richard has been omitted from the last two or three squads and then we have had injuries and called him up. And at the drop of a hat he turns up time after time and he has still had to be patient and wait for his chance, even when he has turned up.

“It would have been easy for him to say ‘if you’re not picking me first time I’m not coming’ but that attitude is not in his locker.

“And last night I thought he was as good as anyone on the pitch in a white shirt and he did himself a lot of credit.

“The fact he can play at right back too is helpful to me and he should be really happy with what he is doing at the moment both for club and country.”