Pearce hopes to avoid semis heartache

Pearce was knocked out at the last-four stage twice as an England player before leading the under-21s to the semi-final of the European Championships where they face holders and hosts Holland in Heerenveen on Wednesday night.

"Losing in a semi-final is horrible - it's probably the worst place to lose," said Pearce. "Losing in the final you know you have no more football."

He added: "Instead you have to go back to the hotel and pack your bags and it isn't a great feeling, I can tell you. If we can avoid that it would be delightful."

England's path to the final has offered reminders of Pearce's playing career, starting with being reunited with Gianfranco Zola and Pierluigi Casiraghi on the touchline against Italy.

Beating Holland 4-1 at Euro 96 was among the finest England performances Pearce played in. He also faced them six years earlier at the World Cup before going out to West Germany at the last-four stage.

A yellow card in the semis reduced Paul Gascoigne to tears, and Pearce has a host of players on one caution and Tom Huddlestone suspended, although the Football Association are appealing to UEFA to get his ban for swearing at an official reduced to one match.

"We are not going to appeal what he said, which was a sending-off offence," Pearce confirmed.

He has Ashley Young back from suspension.

England are nearing the end of an eventful qualifying and finals campaign which has included four different coaches, players being victims of racial abuse and also goals from Theo Walcott before he was ruled out of the finals through injury.