Uefa Under-21 European Championship - England v Romania
Venue: Carrow Road, Norwich Date: Friday, 8 October Kick-off: 1930 BST
Coverage:Full match commentary on BBC Radio Norfolk , live on The FA website and ESPN and coverage on the BBC Sport website

Pearce's men have been based in Norwich ahead of their play-off with Romania

England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce says he has been impressed with Norwich City's academy prospects.

Pearce has brought his side to Norfolk ahead of Friday's European Championship play-off with Romania at Carrow Road.

He told BBC Radio Norfolk: "We've seen the young players first hand. We've borrowed them on two occasions to play practice matches against them.

"All of them did extremely well against us and for those players to get the opportunity was vitally important."

He added: "Hopefully a few of them in a few years time might be with the under-21 squad."

Carrow Road is sold out in anticipation of the arrival of Arsenal's Jack Wilshere, Manchester United's Chris Smalling and Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge who are among Pearce's 21-man squad.

You can do no more than sell a stadium out and that's exactly what the people of this region have done for us England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce

The bumper crowd will hope to see England secure a comfortable lead ahead of the second leg in Botosani, Romania on Tuesday.

"In England we don't realise how well supported the under-21s are," continued Pearce.

"Make no mistake having a sell out at Norwich is fantastic. I've always found it a friendly, welcoming place to be.

"We really feel like we're supported and hopefully that will be emulated on Friday night.

"You can do no more than sell a stadium out and that's exactly what the people of this region have done for us."

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