Young Lions to act as Fabio's 'bodyguards'

David Wheater and Joe Hart are ready to serve as England "bodyguards" after being promoted from Under-21 duty by Fabio Capello.

The pair flew to Belarus late last night, just hours after helping Stuart Pearce's young Lions reach next summer's European Championships.

England were held to a 2-2 draw by Wales in last night's play-off at Villa Park but sneaked through 5-4 on aggregate.

Capello was desperate for reinforcements after his squad were decimated by injuries to John Terry, Ashley Cole and Robert Green.

The Italian had also earmarked Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor for a call-up but the winger tweaked a hamstring at Villa Park and was ruled out.

And while Pearce does not expect Wheater or Hart to feature in Minsk this evening, he insists their summons proves the Under-21s are fulfiling their brief as a breeding ground for the senior side.

He said: "If I ask a player whether he wants to travel or go back to his club, he would want to be on that jet. They want to be part of the seniors.

"They are going to be bodyguards, if you like, but being called up shows why they work so hard in the first place.

"Part of my job is to get results but I also have to educate the youngsters and get them through to the seniors so I'm thrilled for them."

Pearce revealed that Capello's assistant Franco Baldini had rejected his offer to rest Wheater, Hart and Agbonlahor to keep them fresh for senior duty.

He added: "Franco just said definitely not, the game was too important."

Pearce insists there will be no repeat of the heartbreak endured by his side the last time they reached the European Championships in 2007.

England dazzled in an epic semi-final encounter with Holland before losing 13-12 in the penalty shoot-out.

He said: "I am more experienced than when we last played in the Championships. We also have seven or eight players who have been through it before, so hopefully we can do better."

England were made to sweat on their progress to next summer's tournament, to be held in Sweden, as Wales came close to causing a major upset.

Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone put England ahead early on but Wales inspired by Arsenal teenager Aaron Ramsey simply redoubled their efforts.

The 17-year-old first scored a magnificent equaliser and then set up Simon Church four minutes later to edge the visitors in front.

Sam Vokes's own-goal brought England level before the break but the hosts' nerves were jangling once Huddlestone was sent off for a foul on Darcy Blake.

Vokes hit a post as Wales poured forward in the dying stages but England held on.

Pearce said: "I feel sorry for Wales because we could both have done the British Isles proud next summer."