ENGLAND U21 manager Stuart Pearce has praised Drew Surman for quickly adapting to life in international football.

The Saints midfielder won his first England call-up at any level last week when Pearce drafted him into the squad for the opening Euro 2009 under-21 qualifiers.

And after an impressive first few days training, Surman has caught Pearce's eye ahead of tomorrow's clash against Mon-tenegro in Podgorica.

Pearce said: "Andrew's got his feet under the table straight away.

"He's fortunate in that he knows a few of the lads from before.

"He's very comfortable on the ball, has a smashing left foot and an eye for a goal.

"He's got good energy."

Surman is one of four ex-Saints academy products in the England squad, alongside Theo Walcott, Martin Cranie and Dexter Blackstock.

And Pearce was convinced Surman could make the step up to international football after watching the 20-year-old score against Stoke at St Mary's last month.

Surman and Blackstock are two of just four players from clubs outside the Premiership called up - the others are Wolves winger Michael Kightley and Norwich keeper Joe Lewis, currently on loan at Morecambe.

But he now has a real chance of making his debut on the left of midfield against Macedonia - and the second qualifying match comes hard on its heels next week against Bulgaria.

Kightly, Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson and James Milner, England's most capped under-21 player with 29 caps, can also play in that position, though the latter did play on the right of midfield last season.