Stuart Pearce answered Arsène Wenger’s claim that Theo Walcott should be considered for another call-up to the England senior squad by applauding the Arsenal winger’s starring role in last night’s friendly at Ashton Gate.

As Steve McClaren scratches around for a forward line to face Germany at Wembley this evening, Walcott dazzled a succession of bemused Romania defenders with his pace and trickery. But Pearce insisted that the 18-year-old, who missed the European Under-21 Championship finals in the Netherlands in June because of a shoulder injury, will have derived greater benefit from 90 minutes at junior level than rejoining the seniors.

“He caught the eye and gets you off your seat,” Pearce, the England Under-21 manager, said. “He can be pleased with his input. If you’re asking me whether he’s better off being in the seniors and coming off the bench for 15 minutes [at Wembley tonight] or getting 90 minutes here, I’d say it’s more useful for him to be getting a full game with us.”

Gabriel Agbonlahor also missed the summer’s tournament after going Awol for a training camp, but he helped to make amends when he set up Matt Derbyshire’s goal with a cross-shot. Romania, who equalised when Bogdan Stancu’s free kick went in off Joe Hart, the England goalkeeper, had Cristian Scutaru sent off.

England Under-21 (4-4-2): J Hart (sub: B Alnwick, 46min) - C Gardner (sub: M Mancienne, 46), N Onuoha, D Wheater, M Cranie - M Kightly (sub: A Johnson, 46), M Johnson (sub: T Huddlestone, 65), M Noble (sub: F Muamba, 65), T Walcott - M Derbyshire (sub: J Milner, 78), G Agbonlahor (sub: L Moore, 78). Substitute not used: D Blackstock. Booked: Onuoha, Noble.

Romania Under-21 (4-4-2): C Tatarusanu - A Tudose, C Scutaru, S Mardare, L Sepsi - G Torje, E Bicfalvi (sub: V Pacuraru, 87), A Ropotan (sub: I Larie, 90), C Deac - B Stancu (sub: R Ochirosii, 84), C Palimaru (sub: L Ganea, 46). Substitutes not used: C Lungu, C Tanase, S Homei. Booked: Stancu, Ropotan, Tudose, Scutaru. Sent off: Scutaru. Referee: S Oddvar Moen (Norway).

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