Stuart Pearce has been chosen by the Football Association to become their chief Olympics advisor ahead of the London Games.

The FA have given Pearce the 2012 brief in addition to his responsibilities as England Under-21 boss and assistant to manager Fabio Capello.

Pearce's first task will be to undertake a fact-finding mission to this summer's Beijing Olympics although the FA stress he is not being lined up for the 2012 manager's job.

He will fly to China as part of an FA delegation including the women's England U-19 coach Mo Marley and chief executive Brian Barwick.

Even though Britain has not entered a team for the China competition, Pearce will be preparing for the 2012 event by checking out the format and accommodation. The 2012 squad would have to stay with 16,000 other athletes. It would be an Under-23 competition in which three over-age players are allowed. Both the FA and the British Olympic Association are committed to entering a team in 2012, ending Britain's 56-year absence.

The team, which will play in red, white and blue, may consist entirely of English players if there is no solution to the current stand-off with other home nations, who fear their status with FIFA will be compromised.