Saints midfielder Andrew Surman has been rewarded for his impressive start to the season by being called up to the England Under-21 squad for the first time.

The 21 year-old with dual nationality was at the centre of a tug-of-war between South Africa and England for his services, with both countries keeping tabs on the midfielder.

Surman was born in Johannesburg but his parents are English and he grew up in Bitterne.

Under 21's boss Pearce was at St Mary's on Saturday to see Surman inspire Saints to a 3-2 win over Stoke, in which the youngster scored one goal and made two.

Sitting just two seats away from Pearce was South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

But it is Pearce who has made the first move by naming Surman in his squad for the European Championship qualifiers away to Montenegro on Friday September 7 and Bulgaria on Tuesday September 11.

Pearce said: "Andrew had a good season at Southampton last year and has taken that form into this campaign. "He's a very promising midfielder and I saw him play against Stoke at the weekend and he was in good form. "He took his goal well and looked very good throughout the game."