Pearce: Stevie's good as it gets
Steven Gerrard is 'as good as it gets' in this country, according to interim England manager Stuart Pearce.
Liverpool's skipper returns to international football tonight having not featured since November 2010 due to injuries.
"I would fully expect Steven to play," said Pearce.
"He has not been on an international football pitch for a long time. It would be folly for a player of his quality not to figure in a game of this magnitude.
"He is as good as it gets in this nation - both what he does on the pitch and how he is around the camp. We are pleased to have him back."
While Pearce is delighted to have Gerrard in the fold, he has yet to decide whether Liverpool's No.8 will wear the armband for the friendly against Holland.
The captaincy was taken from John Terry last month.
"Captaining England was the proudest moment of my career," said Pearce.
"If I feel that in my heart, I can't take the decision lightly.
"I can only view it as I see it. When you play for your country that is the true pinnacle of anyone's career. That is still the case."
Meanwhile, Jordan Henderson is hoping to impress Pearce when he plays for and captains the U21s in their Euro 2013 qualifier against Belgium tonight.
"Obviously, everyone wants to play in the senior team," said Henderson. "But this is a massive game for the U21s.
"I spoke to Stuart when the squad was announced a week ago and he just said, 'Make sure the boys are okay and do it right.'
"He has been a very big influence on my career and helped me in many ways, so I cannot thank him enough."