Pearce eyes play-off place

Pearce: Happy with situation

Related links

Teams

• England

Also see

• Fantasy Football
• Experts
• Transfer Centre
• Sky Sports on Sky
• Radio

England Under 21s boss Stuart Pearce is pleased his side are still in the mix for a European Championship play-off place.

The Under 21s produced an impressive 1-0 victory over their Portuguese counterparts on Friday night, with Daniel Sturridge's goal securing a precious three points.

It means Pearce's men closed to within two points of group leaders Greece and victory over Lithuania on Tuesday should be enough to secure a play-off berth.

Pearce said: "I was very pleased and it keeps us in the mix for Tuesday evening as well.

"Going into Tuesday's game, when the fixtures for the group were decided, we felt as though, if we were going into the last game having to win it to go into the play-offs, then we'd take that probably, and that's the situation we're in."

On the win over Portugal, Pearce added: "There were very few efforts on our goal and if we'd have won the game two or three nil it would have been a fair reflection on chances.

"The whole team did a shift. The likes of Daniel Sturridge, the likes of Danny Welbeck, they worked tirelessly for the team to give us a platform to defend from.

"From there, on occasions, we cut the opposition open with our movement and passing. But it could have been better, and hopefully it will be on Tuesday."

Looking ahead to the Lithuania clash, Pearce remarked: "They will be very difficult to break down and we're going to have to recuperate our players and do some more work."