Pressure on Ukraine, says Pearce

Group B: Ukraine U21 v England U21Venue: Herning Stadion, DenmarkDate: Wednesday, 15 JuneKick-off: 1945 BSTCoverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 live, live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles and live on Sky Sports England face the Czech Republic in their final group game on Sunday England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce says Ukraine will be under more pressure when they meet in the European Championship on Wednesday.

England drew 1-1 with Spain in their opening Group B game in Denmark, while Ukraine lost 2-1 to the Czech Republic.

"Everyone's going into the second group games with slightly different mentalities," said Pearce.

"Ukraine are probably under a touch more pressure, knowing they've probably got to win both remaining matches."

Pearce insisted that his side deserved their opening-game draw, which came courtesy of Danny Welbeck's late equaliser after Spain had dominated for long periods in Herning.

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If spirit and confidence are anything to go by then England go into Wednesday's match against Ukraine in good shape. Jack Rodwell is worthy of a starting place and will hope success here in Denmark can be the highlight of what has been an injury-hit season. He and England will hope Herning is where they deliver to keep alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals

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"As a team we defended very well," said Pearce. "I know which team was going to go on and win the game when it went to 1-1.

"I ask the question: how many other nations would've thrown the towel in? Maybe in the 87th minute, when they're losing 1-0 and the opposition are keeping the ball very well.

"But we didn't. In fact, we went and got a goal and then, after that, we had two good chances to go and get another goal.

"The game against Spain just enhanced that, it buoyed me up more than anything to be honest."

England employed captain Michael Mancienne - usually a defender - in midfield in the opening game, with Tom Cleverley playing on the right.

However, Pearce could hand Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell a start against Ukraine after he impressed from the bench against the Spanish.

"If I need to freshen it up, I have got players there to step in and give the team a lift," added Pearce. "They're all telling me they're ready.

"The players will know on Wednesday morning what the team is.

"We've worked on one or two tactical things but we've worked on that as a squad of 22 players, not as an 11 at this moment in time.

"Whoever plays will do us proud, whoever captains the team will do the same."

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