PIC: Pinnacle
MATTY PEARSON is looking forward to his family watching him in England C action on their doorstep – even though his old man is making him take time off unpaid!
Pearson is one of two FC Halifax Town players, along with Marc Roberts, in the 16-man squad taking on Estonia U23 at their club's home ground The Shay on Tuesday night.
The 21-year-old midfielder is in line for his seventh cap having established himself as a regular since his debut in Latvia last September.
But Pearson, who fits garage doors for dad Steve's company Hebden & Holding, isn't getting special treatment when it comes to holiday allowance.
“It's a shame I can't stay at home,” Pearson joked. “I only live 20 minutes away.
“I've got to take the time off work though. I get 28 days holiday and when I take other days off I don't get paid. But it's good my family can come to watch. If I play it will be a good moment for me.
Honour
“I'll have quite a few friends there as well so it will be a real honour. Hopefully some of the Halifax lads will come down and see what it's all about. It's great for the club that Robbo and myself have been picked.”
England C welcome Estonia for their final International Challenge Trophy group game, like the visitors, already eliminated from the competition.
A 1-0 defeat to Slovakia in May was followed by a 2-0 loss against Turkey last month. Both times they performed admirably against players with full international caps, but now England are determined to put on a good show on home soil.
“In any game you've got to win, but we really have to win on Tuesday,” Pearson said. “Regarding work-rate we've been better than anyone we've played. It's not like we've been battered. Slovakia could have gone either way and we had chances.”
Manager Paul Fairclough has picked four new faces including Solihull Moors' in-form striker Omar Bogle, Chester's Kingsley James and Bristol Rovers defender Tom Parkes, who had to withdraw injured from the Turkey trip.
Ilkeston's highly-rated striker Che Adams was also called up but after his big move to Sheffield United to Friday, he has now been replaced by Lincoln City's Jon Nolan.
