Pearce: Under-21s can spur seniors

Stuart Pearce believes England's World Cup hopes will be given a huge lift if his Under-21s win the European Championships in Sweden.

Pearce's youngsters start their finals campaign against Finland in Halmstad on Monday, with players looking to impress seniors boss Fabio Capello by bringing the trophy home.

"I think it would be massive for English football," said the Under-21 coach. "If we are good enough to win this tournament, and it is a big ask, I think three or four players in the squad will be on the plane to South Africa."

Pearce's own progress has seen him offered a new deal until 2011 which is set to be signed next week.

He believes he has improved as a manager since taking the previous crop to the semi-finals in Holland before losing to the hosts after a marathon shoot-out.

The squad have been practising penalties after every training session to ensure they are prepared for anything. It is the type of thoroughness Pearce learned in the last two years after travelling to clubs in Europe and watching the likes of Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti oversee training.

"I watched him (Mourinho) work," Pearce said. "There is not a manager around that you don't learn from, whether it is him or Ancelotti. I also watched (Italy striker Mario) Balotelli train and know what a force he will be in the tournament.

"I've got to be more knowledgeable than two years ago."