Agbonlahor suffered the strain in Tuesday night's England U21 clash against Wales at Villa Park.

The Villa man started up front for Pearce's side on his home ground but limped out of the action at half-time as England U21s qualified for the UEFA European U21 Championship finals in Sweden next summer.

The striker was supposed to link up with the senior squad in Belarus after the U21 game, along with Joe Hart and David Wheater, but instead remained at Villa for treatment in a bid to get fit for Saturday's Premier League home game against Portsmouth.

However, Pearce expects Agbonlahor to recover quickly.

"We took Gabriel off as a precaution," said Pearce.

"He should be OK for Saturday but the last thing we wanted was for Gabriel to break down on us and get an injury that might keep him out for a number of weeks."

Pearce had offered to pull Agbonlahor, Hart and Wheater out of Tuesday night's game prior to kick-off but coach Franco Baldini refused.

"Franco just said definitely not, the game was too important," said Pearce.

"Part of my job is to get results, educate them and get them through to the seniors.

"We had planned on taking three of them. They were proud to be asked this morning. Unfortunately Gaby will not be going but the other two are proud to."