Brian Flynn hopes a sell-out crowd at Cardiff's Ninian Park can roar Wales' Under 21s to victory against England on Friday.
Game being shown live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm
Brian Flynn hopes a 12,000 sell-out crowd at Cardiff's Ninian Park can roar Wales' Under 21s to victory against England in their eagerly awaited European Championship play-off first leg on Friday night.
While his side take on Stuart Pearce's team as underdogs, the Wales boss believes his players can deliver a result ahead of the second leg at Villa Park on Tuesday.
A place in next summer's finals in Sweden is up for grabs and Flynn believes his team will be helped by the intimidating atmosphere of Ninian Park, with the game being shown live on
Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm.
Flynn said: "Ninian Park, when it is full, is a very special place - an intimidating venue for the opposition. It is a fantastic ground for the home team to play, a perfect venue.
"Just being there and listening to the home fans singing the national anthem and cheering them on will be like a 12th man for our players."
While the game is massive for his side, Flynn does not believe the players will be too star-struck by the occasion, saying: "This is a big game for us and the boys can handle it, I do not believe they will freeze.
"The more big games that we play in the better, this gives them that experience for when they step up to the senior team.
"I know the boys well and I am sure they won't freeze on the night against some big names in the England squad. I have always said they are a close-knit bunch so playing at Ninian Park will excite them rather than make them on edge on the night."
Flynn has a fitness doubt over Walsall winger Mark Bradley, who will have a test on a foot injury.
But captain Joe Jacobson, who has missed the whole season so far with a knee ligament injury, is expected to play his first game of the campaign.
As well as the Bristol Rovers full-back, West Ham midfielder Jack Collison is also set to return after he recently took part in his first game of the season for the club's reserves following knee trouble.
He should line up alongside Arsenal's talented 17-year-old Aaron Ramsey in the middle of the park, while Reading striker Simon Church, on loan to Wycombe, will lead the attack.
But that is it for Premier League experience in Flynn's ranks as the likes of Gareth Bale, Chris Gunter and Ched Evans will all be in the senior squad to face Liechtenstein on Saturday in a World Cup qualifier.
England news
England Under 21 coach Pearce will be going all out to ensure his side reach next summer's finals.
As a member of the 1990 World Cup and 1996 European Championship senior sides which went out narrowly in the semi-finals, he knows how much winning a trophy would mean for the country.
He also knows he could be out of a job if his team slip up against Wales.
He said: "When I joined 18 months ago on a full-time contract it was a two-year contract.
"That will be reviewed, I hope, next summer at the end of the tournament. That will change on Tuesday if we don't get through the play-off situation.
"That is something I would have to speak to my bosses about. I would still be under contract until the summer but it will be a decision for me and my bosses."
He added: "I love doing this. The involvement is fantastic as well. I don't want that to end on Tuesday evening."
Following the injuries of Spurs' Aaron Lennon and Manchester City's Micah Richards, Wolves' Richard Stearman and Chelsea's Jack Cork have been called into the squad, while Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana has also been called up for the first time.
Pearce has a squad bursting with Premier League players to pick from, including Aston Villa trio Gabriel Agbonlahor, James Milner and Craig Gardner.
Other big names include Man City's Joe Hart, Newcastle's Stephen Taylor, Middlesbrough's David Wheater, Lee Cattermole of Wigan, West Ham's Mark Noble, Tom Huddlestone of Spurs, Frazier Campbell of Man Utd and Matt Derbyshire of Blackburn.
