Pearce prepared for greatest challenge

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Pearce's youngsters will reach the semi-finals of the European Championships if they beat the Spanish in their Group B match at Gamla Ullevi.

And, agreeing that it will be his sternest test as Under-21 coach, said: "Yes, it will be. We are extremely respectful of Spain across all age-groups. Spain are very strong and if we want to win this tournament, our next fixtures will be Spain, Germany then one of Serbia, Italy or Sweden."

He added: "It's a very tough run-in but our opponents will also have their hands full. We have three points and we know one victory out of two games and we go through."

Pearce will make a late decision on whether Micah Richards is ready to start after jarring his knee in the narrow win over Finland on Monday.

Theo Walcott was taken off at half-time in that game and Pearce has to decide whether the Arsenal winger will start on the pitch or on the bench.

One player virtually guaranteed a place in the starting XI is Arsenal full-back Kieran Gibbs, who has shown his strength of character after coming back from his mistake against Manchester United in the Champions League semi-final second leg.

"It's hard to think at the time and put the blame on anyone else," said Gibbs. "I felt disappointed after that but I'm trying to forget about that now and this is the tournament I am in."

Gibbs, despite his meteoric rise, could still be behind Gael Clichy in the pecking order when the new season starts and would not rule out another move on loan, after going to Norwich the season before last.

"It would be difficult because when you play week-in, week-out you get used to it and it would be different coming off the bench again," he said. "I'm still 19 and he (Clichy) is a world-class left-back. I've still got a lot to learn from him and I don't think it will be too disappointing for me to continue learning from one of the best left-backs in the world."