STUART Pearce has some advice for Tom Ince – listen to your dad.
The England Under-21 boss is in town tonight as his side take on Northern Ireland in a Bloomfield Road friendly.
Seasiders winger Ince is set to start and with that comes the glare of the national media.
Many have linked him with a January move to the Premier League, though dad Paul (the former England midfielder) has advised the 20-year-old to stay at Bloomfield Road at least until the end of the season.
And U21 manager Pearce thinks that’s sound advice.
“Listen to your dad,” said the former England left-back. “But it will depend on what he feels if and when an offer comes in.
“What he has to make sure is that he doesn’t let any of the talk or speculation affect what he does on the pitch.
“He has to make sure he keeps doing what he’s doing during the 90 minutes each weekend.”
Ince has been one of the stars of the Championship so far this season. He was again in fine form on Saturday, scoring a sensational ninth goal of the season in the 2-2 home draw with Bolton.
England’s senior boss Roy Hodgson has called Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha, who only turned 20 on Saturday, into his senior squad for the friendly in Sweden tomorrow, and Pearce believes Ince could be next in line.
He said: “If Tom keeps doing the things he’s doing at the moment, then the progression to the senior squad will come.
“Roy (Hodgson) will feel fit to progress him when he feels right.
“Tom has done extremely well for England. I’ve been very impressed with him, not just as a player but a person as well.
“His maturity and how he conducts himself is brilliant.
“Both myself and Roy have shown we have faith in young players.
“So Tom should be confident that if he does well he’ll get his chance.
“Tom needs to keep doing well for Blackpool because he’s been outstanding.
A crowd of around 10,000 is expected at Bloomfield Road for tonight’s clash, which is to be televised by ESPN.
It will be Ince’s fifth appearance in England colours.
And Ince himself can’t wait to play on his home turf.
“It’s fantastic to be playing at Bloomfield Road,” said the winger.
“It’s great to represent your country, but to do it at Blackpool will be great.
“I’m sure Bloomfield Road will be packed tonight and it will be a great game. It’s vital that Blackpool fans come out tonight and watch.”
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