Pearce: Make England proud

STUART PEARCE has told his Young Lions to make England proud against Norway tonight.

The Under-21 boss is set to make FIVE changes to his starting line-up for the European Championship Group A clash after Wednesday’s opening 1-0 loss to Italy. Boss Pearce said: “We’ve a strong squad wanting to put things right.

“We’ve spoken a bit about what has come out of the game but talk is cheap. The important thing now for me is that the players deliver a performance befitting of an England team.”

Pearce has Tottenham defender Danny Rose and Blackpool winger Tom Ince available after suspension, while Manchester United new-boy Wilfried Zaha is fit to start up front.

Spurs reserve Adam Smith is expected to start at right-back and Chelsea rookie Nathaniel Chalobah in midfield.

Nottingham Forest ace Henri Lansbury is the only injured player.

Pearce’s kids must avoid defeat against Norway.

Then they can go into next Tuesday’s final group game against Israel in Jerusalem with a chance of making the semi-finals.

Pearce said: “If our performance is good we’ll win. We need to see more energy and drive and more confidence on the ball.

“We’ve played some good football over the last few months, irrespective of our results.

“The boys had some good movement and interaction in the team – but that didn’t show itself against Italy.

“I certainly think it will against Norway.

“We just need to show a bit more devilment and when we have the ball we need to show more composure with our movement and flair.

“We’ve got some good players in our team and too many of them didn’t show that character against Norway.”

LIKELY LINE-UP (4-2-3-1): Butland; Smith, Caulker, Dawson, Rose; Henderson, Chalobah; Redmond, Shelvey, Ince; Zaha.