Michael Mancienne could lose England under-21 place against Ukraine in Denmark

Stuart Pearce insisted he would have no hesitation in removing the armband from Michael Mancienne and dropping him for European Championship Under-21 Group B game with Ukraine in Herning.

With Mancienne subdued in midfield in the 1-1 opening draw with Spain, England looked better only when Jack Rodwell came on in midfield.

Pearce stressed that rotating the armband would not necessarily be a problem, although it would make front-page news for the senior team.

“For me there is no relevance,’’ Pearce said. “My loyalty doesn’t stem to making sure the last person who captained the team will be in the next team.

"If Michael’s not on the pitch, then he can’t captain the team. Common sense.”

Rodwell insisted that the squad were less obsessed with who possessed the armband. “Whoever the manager picks will do a good job,’’ Rodwell said.

“We will support whoever it is.” The Everton midfielder added that opposing nations were “fearful” of the sort of resilience that England showed in recovering to draw with Spain.

“We’ve shown when our backs are against the wall we’ll come out fighting,’’ Rodwell said. “We’ll always do that; that goes through all English teams, club level as well.’’

Rodwell disputed the notion that the English were vastly inferior to the Spanish.

“We have technical ability throughout the Under-21 squad. And look at our senior side, there are some of the best players in the world.

"If Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney were in the Barcelona squad I’m sure all of them would start.’’

England will expect to defeat Ukraine, particularly as their star turn, Taras Stepanenko, is out with a thigh problem.

Rodwell believes that the camaraderie amongst Pearce’s players eclipses the upbeat mood amongst those who reached the finals in 2009.

“The team spirit is better here,’’ Rodwell said. “I think we could definitely go all the way.”

Probable teams

Ukraine (4-2-3-1): Kanibolotskiy; Butko, Rakitskiy, Kryvtsov, Selin; Chesnakov, Partsvaniya; Biliy, Konoplyanka, Yarmolenko; Zozulya.
England (4-4-1-1): Fielding; Walker, Smalling, Jones, Bertrand; Cleverley, Rodwell, Henderson, Sinclair; Welbeck; Sturridge.
Referee: A Starev (Macedonia).