Pupil Pearce eager to graduate to senior England duty with Capello

Some 24 hours later, though, and Pearce will take on the role of pupil as he looks, listens and learns from Fabio Capello in Paris.

When Capello agreed to succeed Steve McClaren, there were a few sideways glances when he gathered an all-Italian backroom staff around him.

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Pearce, the Under 21 coach, was the exception and one or two cynics believed the old England warhorse was included only as the token Englishman.

If they had made that point to Pearce's face it's likely they would have been given the permafrost stare, the same look that used to turn wingers' legs to jelly, in the moments they could still feel their legs, that is.

Anyone who saw Pearce play football will know he is not a token anything. He gives the same level of full commitment, whether it's in his full-time job of developing England's next hopeful crop of stars or being alongside Capello on match nights with the senior team.

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The Italian has said that Pearce's presence is important to him and for the former England star himself, what better way to learn than from one of masters of the game.

"I'm only there at the moment when I'm not with the Under 21s," said Pearce. "But hopefully this summer, when England play a couple of games, I will be able to spend more time in the camp and become more involved.

"I'm someone who has come from the factory floor. It doesn't seem so long ago to me but it is, I suppose. So, for someone of my education to be there involved on a match day, it's fantastic.

"I will help in whichever way I can. How it worked against Switzerland was that Fabio asked me to put a couple of points across to the players in which they one hundred per cent understand what's he's trying to say."

Peter Taylor is Pearce's predecessor as coach for the Under 21s and believes the arrangement can only benefit both men.

"I think it's a very good arrangement for both Fabio Capello and Stuart," said Taylor, who is now managing Stevenage following his departure from Crystal Palace earlier this season.

"I had a similar arrangement with Glenn Hoddle. I would meet up with the senior squad on the day and be in the dressing- room before the match, at half-time and afterwards. If you had a point to make, you made it. "It will be a brilliant arrangement for both parties. Stuart will be able to learn from one of the best coaches in world football and Fabio will have somebody in the camp who knows the players, knows how they feel. I really believe it can only be good for the England set-up."

Taylor also believes that, in Pearce's case, it could give him a distinct advantage when there is another change.

"It can only benefit Stuart because, in however many years time when Fabio goes, there is the perfect replacement. Hefs been groomed in the meantime."

As for Pearce, he is gratified to learn that Capello values his presence. "It's nice to hear that," he said. "It's good to feel wanted."

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