Former England U21 coach Stuart Pearce feels the nation's best youngsters will be burned if they're taken to the World Cup.
The new Nottingham Forest manager believes strongly that Southampton star Luke Shaw should not be selected for the finals in Brazil and would benefit instead from playing at an Under-20s tournament in Toulon later this month.
Pearce, capped times 78 by his country said: "I've seen the importance, from inside the England set-up, of not upgrading people too quickly into squads. People need to have a solid grounding in the age-groups before putting them in the senior England squad.
"There is a Toulon tournament this year as well as an Under-21 qualifier against Wales in August - I'd most certainly involve Luke in both of those before taking him to a World Cup.
"I'd like to make sure younger players stay in their age-groups a little bit more and actually play.
"The most important thing is that the best young players in the country play - at whatever age-group.
"Being in the senior squad and not playing isn't helpful."
