Jordan Henderson was restricted - Sunderland boss Bruce

Henderson has been ever present in the Premier League this season

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce says midfielder Jordan Henderson looked "restricted" on his England debut.

The 20-year-old was employed in a holding role alongside Gareth Barry in the 2-1 defeat by France at Wembley.

Bruce told BBC Newcastle: "You can't ask Jordan to just sit because you don't get the best out of him.

"You've got to let him go and rampage around the pitch because, for me, that's when he's at his best. He looked a little bit restricted."

Manager Fabio Capello, without the services of England regulars Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe, handed debuts to Henderson, Newcastle striker Andy Carroll and a first start to Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs.

But after a failed World Cup campaign, the new-look England side suffered at the hands of a France team that had a similarly disappointing time in South Africa .

Goals from Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena put the visitors 2-0 up before Peter Crouch's late consolation goal.

"I think Jordan did as well as anybody else," added Bruce. "The French were the better side on the night.

"Because we've lost the game it seems like a catastrophe. That's the way football is these days.

"Possibly there were too many youngsters against a very, very good French team who England struggled to cope with.

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"We're all clamouring for the youngsters to be given a chance, now all of a sudden we're up against it. It's a no-win situation."

Henderson, a product of the Sunderland academy, made his debut for the national side just over two years after making his bow for the Black Cats first team as a substitute in a 5-0 defeat by Chelsea.

A spell on loan with Coventry followed, but after establishing himself in Bruce's side last season, Henderson has been ever present in the Premier League for the Wearsiders this term.

"It was fantastic to see him in an England shirt and I'm sure he enjoyed it," said Bruce.

"He's had a wonderful rise in 18 months. Now's the next stage, to make sure he matures and develops, and that's where we've got to be careful.

"He's a wonderful talent and we must nurture that talent and get the best out of it rather than building him up and building him up, like this country tends to do, and knocking him down very quickly."