Stuart Pearce has acclaimed the rapid rise of Michael Mancienne into the England senior squad but emphasised that he expects the Wolverhampton Wanderers defender, who is on loan from Chelsea, and the country's other finest young players to return for the European Under-21 Championship finals next year.

England Under-21 take on the Czech Republic this evening in a friendly at Bramall Lane, Sheffield, where Pearce will offer opportunities to some of the squad players who have backed up the likes of Joe Hart, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Theo Walcott and Mancienne during qualifying for the tournament in Sweden in June.

“To see the likes of Michael Mancienne, Micah Richards, Theo, Gabby, Scott [Carson], and [Ashley] Young in the senior squad, having come through with us, is fantastic,” the England Under-21 head coach said. “There is the possibility for people to come through as if from nowhere, like Michael has. But he's been our best player for the last four or so games, and been man of the match in every game since he went on loan to Wolverhampton.

“So it shows that if you are putting in a good run of form, you will get looked at. As soon as you get an opportunity, it's then down to those players.

“Michael's earned it. I don't think either myself or Fabio Capello give squad places away lightly. Central defence is probably the most competitive position to hold down in my squad. He's a fantastic boy, very unassuming, willing to learn and every time you put something in front of him, he deals with it.

“I've got a feeling he might be a better international footballer than a club player. With his turn of pace, ability to get a toe in and put his head in where it hurts, he reminds me of Des Walker [Pearce's former Nottingham Forest and England team-mate].”

Pearce said that he has felt under no obligation to call Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, or Martin O'Neill, of Aston Villa, who have expressed fears of burnout for young players operating at both levels for England.

Pearce cites the example of Italy, who tend to prosper from switching their best youngsters between age groups, with the experience they glean from winning under-21 tournaments building a World Cup-winning mentality.

“Don't ask me to have any sympathy for someone else who has an impression that our country should not back the home national side,” he said. “All I know is that when England have worked so hard to get an opportunity at a major tournament, it would be folly not to pick the best players.

“The experience these players get, whether they win the tournament or not, will stand them in good stead if they were to break into the senior squad and go to [the 2010] World Cup finals.”

England (possible; 4-4-1-1): J Lewis (Peterborough United) - M Cranie (Charlton Athletic), N Onuoha (Manchester City), R Stearman (Wolverhampton Wanderers), J O'Hara (Tottenham Hotspur) - M Kightly (Wolverhampton Wanderers), J Cork (Southampton), F Muamba (Bolton Wanderers), A Johnson (Middlesbrough) - A Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur) - F Campbell (Tottenham Hotspur).

Referee: Cüneyt Çakir (Turkey).

Television: Live on Setanta Sports 1 from 7.30pm (kick-off 7.45).