Friday 9 October 2015 21:58, UK
England need to learn more about Jonjo Shelvey and Ross Barkley in their final two European Qualifiers, says Stuart Pearce.
Roy Hodgson's men host Estonia on Friday night before facing Lithuania on Tuesday, with top spot in Group B already sealed thanks to eight wins out of eight.
Wayne Rooney are Danny Ings are the main absentees for the hosts, who can guarantee their status as top seeds next summer with victory at Wembley.
But Pearce, who earned 78 caps for England, believes Hodgson should look at the next 180 minutes together and assess all his options.
"I'd look at these as a block of two and say 'what do we need to see from the whole squad' and mix and match," he told Sky Sports.
"We're in a great position in the group, we've qualified, and no matter what team we put out I think both games are winnable.
"Roy needs to know come Tuesday night that it's been a fruitful last two matches and he's got to have a look at as many players as possible."
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp believes Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli should be involved on Friday, but Pearce doesn't share his view.
"It's too soon for me - for me he'd still be playing with the U21s now," he said.
"If you don't play him, or at least start him in one of the games, I'd question why he's with the seniors. He can be with the seniors to train, but send him back to the U21s on Tuesday and play 90 minutes for them. That's a trick that we miss on at international level at times."
Expecting Joe Hart to start in goal, former England U21 coach Pearce has given his verdict on the rest of the pitch as to who should be given some game time…
Defence
"Gary Cahill's going to captain the team, and I think Clyne at right-back is a given at this stage.
"At left-back you can go with Kieran Gibbs or Ryan Bertrand. I think both need the experience and both are vying for that position.
"I think Chris Smalling's playing very well so I'd certainly put him in the side."
Midfield
"Roy needs to find out a bit more about Jonjo Shelvey. I don't think you learn anything by playing Michael Carrick, personally. Everyone knows what he can do and what he offers the squad.
"I'd certainly play Raheem Sterling in one wide area, and probably Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the other side of midfield. You've also got a consistent performer in Jame Milner if you want to be sure in the centre of midfield.
"It's just looking at where you'd want him to play - he'll play out wide or in the middle, which he has done a little bit at the moment for Liverpool. I'm not sure too much can be learned from playing him, but knowing him he'll want to play.
"Ross Barkley and Shelvey - are they ready to start next year at the finals? If the answer is 'no because they haven't had enough game time', now are the games to do that. Roy's probably got five or six he needs to know about. There's a few players who are nailed on to be in the squad, but it's those ones on the fringes.
"I wouldn't say there are question marks over individual people's ability, but question marks over who's going to be the starting XI come next summer. The likes of Andros Townsend and Barkley need to be given more experience."
Strikers
"He'll probably have a look at putting Harry Kane on his own up front, or have a look at Theo Walcott - it's a choice of either or. But over these two games I'd have a look at both.
"Kane definitely needs more experience. Walcott's got his tail up at this moment in time, and he's enjoying his role up front.
"I'd play one of them - one up and one off, probably. But I'd look at it as a two-game scenario, rather than a one-off game."
