Slate is clean now for Gabby

Sep 9 2007

GABRIEL Agbonlahor has thanked Stuart Pearce for his international recall and wants to make up for missing this summer's European Championships by firing England Under-21s to the next finals.

Agbonlahor could not be contacted to confirm his call-up for the tournament in Holland last June and was left behind, but he is determined to reach Sweden in 2009.

"What happened in the summer before the Championships is in the past and has been put behind us," said the Villa striker. "I want to be there in Sweden.

"Stuart Pearce has been good about welcoming me back into the squad.

"That has been the best part about it. He has seen how much I am enjoying my football at Villa and gave me that chance. It means a lot."

Scotland and Nigeria were international options for Agbonlahor but he wants to concentrate on England.

"There was a slight misunderstanding in the summer but I am just looking at the future," he added.

"England are the team I want to play for and I won't be playing for anyone else."

While David Bentley was jeered on his senior debut for missing the finals, Agbonlahor has made a seamless return to the international fold by contributing in his first games back.

Pearce's young players made the perfect start to their qualifying campaign, with Agbonlahor scoring in a 3-0 win over Montenegro on Friday, and Bulgaria are the next opponents tomorrow.

"I really enjoyed Friday. The team played well as a whole and it was great to get the goal," he said. "The back four were solid and we looked lively and dangerous in midfield and attack.

"It was really encouraging. Everyone was working their socks off for each other. That is exactly what the gaffer wants.

"I guess it was the perfect way to start the campaign."