Jordan Henderson backs England U21 manager Stuart Pearce for senior role

Jordan Henderson: Has been impressed by the work of England U21 boss Stuart Pearce

Jordan Henderson has described Stuart Pearce as 'a great inspiration' and says he has a role to play with the senior England team.

Pearce has been an integral part of the coaching set-up in previous regimes and took charge of the side on a caretaker basis before Roy Hodgson was brought in to replace Fabio Capello.

However, the former England left-back - who led Great Britain's Olympic team this summer - has not been handed a role in Hodgson's backroom since the ex-West Brom chief's arrival, and did not travel to Euro 2012.

Pearce has, however, continued his role as England Under 21 coach, with Thursday night's 2-0 victory in Azerbaijan securing their place in next month's European Championship play-offs.

And Henderson, who is himself on the fringes of the senior side, believes the respected coach is worthy of a place in the Wembley dugout.

The Liverpool midfielder, currently captain of the Under 21s, said: "He's been brilliant, to be honest. He always has been, since I've been in the Under-21 squad, and I'm sure all the players would say the same.

"He's a great inspiration and a great leader for everyone involved. For us, he's brilliant. And he's someone that we definitely look up to.

"Of course, he's definitely got a role (to play) in the senior team. It hasn't really got much to do with me, I don't know what goes on, but for us he's a great manager and a great leader."

The win in Baku ensured England will be in the hat to fight for a place at next summer's European Under-21 Championship.

But Henderson insists victory over Norway in Monday's final Group Eight game is vital in order to secure top spot and a better seeding in the play-off draw.

"Obviously it was a great win for us in Baku the other night to take us into a good position to finish top of the group if we can do the job against Norway on Monday," he said.

"So everyone was happy with that win but we've got another game to go before the play-offs and hopefully we can win that to top the group.

"We played some decent stuff and did the job."