Pearce feels his youngsters - including Middlesbrough's Easington-born winger Adam Johnson - have a real chance of winning the European Championships.

But to earn a place at the tournament in Sweden they have to beat Wales in a play-off, with the first leg at Ninian Park tonight.

After twice reaching the semi-finals during his playing career, Pearce knows the effect the prospect of success can have on England.

"I think it would be a fantastic lift," Pearce said.

"I was fortunate enough to be involved in 1990, when quarter of a million people turned up at Luton Airport to see a team that had been beaten in a semi-final.

"I was also fortunate to be involved in 1996 when the country went crazy after we got a little bit of momentum going in a tournament in our own back yard.

"I think winning is infectious, whatever trophy. At all age groups we are pretty successful but we have to win a trophy. That's what it boils down to.

"I only ever lost six games in 78 games for the senior team but I haven't got a trophy behind me or a winners medal to say 'this is what I got playing for England'."