Former Dale player could be future England star

Date published: 08 September 2011

Stuart Pearce today urged former Rochdale player Craig Dawson not to blow his Premier League chance and become Albion’s next international star.

The England Under-21 boss reckons his new cap can follow Manchester United’s Chris Smalling and take the top-flight by storm.

Dawson, a £600,000 signing from Dale last summer, scored twice on his under-21 debut in England’s 6-0 thrashing of Azerbaijan last week before playing in Monday’s 4-1 win over Israel.

The defender is yet to make his top-flight debut after being loaned back to Dale last year but Pearce insisted Dawson must now become vital at Albion.

“Roy (Hodgson) is a great coach and Daws is probably at the best club he could be at with the best manager he could have,” he said.

“Now when he gets the opportunity, like the Smallings of this world, he has to take it. He’s got a great opportunity. ”