Pearce jumps to defence of 'Calamity James'

MANCHESTER City boss Stuart Pearce has sprung to the defence of his beleaguered goalkeeper David James, insisting he expects him to bounce back better than ever.

James has come under fire for another abject England performance in Copenhagen on Wednesday - and then, bizarrely admitting he wasn't tuned in for the game.

James, 35, admitted: "Because I knew I wasn't going to start I did not do my starting preparations - but you should always prepare to play. I did not adhere to that and everyone saw the results."