England Under-21 head Coach Stuart Pearce has hinted Fabio Capello may have to take second pick when it comes to squad selection next week, as he bids to hit the ground running in his own European qualification bid.

Pearce’s side face Azerbaijan at Watford’s Vicarage Road Stadium on Thursday, September 1 (kick off 7.30pm) in their opening 2013 UEFA European Championship Group 8 qualifying game, and England fans could well see the likes of Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones and Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson stepping out for the Young Lions.

Three Lions legend Pearce is under no illusions that a win is what he wants to take away from Hertfordshire, even if it means he has to take two of three of Capello’s senior picks in preference to them boarding the ‘plane to Bulgaria – where the full England team will play in Sofia.

Speaking to the Watford Observer a week ahead of his maiden squad selection, Pearce said: “I’ll look at the players we’ll draw together and there might even be a scenario where one or two of the players need to be with us in respect to the first game, and then might join the seniors afterwards.

“I’ll be flying out on Friday to Bulgaria for the seniors’ game. I’ll have to speak with Fabio in respect to squad selection, but one thing’s for sure, it’s as important a qualifier for us as it is the seniors.

“The seniors do always come first but what we want is to make sure we maximise the playing time for all the players, there’s no point them being there and not playing, they need to be playing where humanly possible.

“You can’t afford to drop points. You know you have to win or get a minimum of 17 points and that dictates you need somewhere in the region of five wins and two draws, so you can only afford to lose one game in qualification otherwise you won’t go through the group.

“It’s really tough for us but it’s the same for the others and looking at the group I think teams will take points off of each other.”

Tickets for the England Under-21 fixture at Watford are still available by calling 0844 856 1881 or clicking here. Tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £5 for children whilst full paying Watford season ticket holders can receive another ticket for free (this offer is not available online).