WATFORD 'keeper Scott Loach has been training at his usual London Colney base over the weekend, ahead of the England U21 match against Azerbaijan at Stadium MK tonight (Monday).

The fixture at the MK Dons' stadium is a friendly in the lead-up to England's trip to Spain for the UEFA European Championships in Sweden, which start a week today (Monday 15 June).

The warm-up game is designed to give the young guns match practice together before they compete in the tournament.

After spending a gruelling week training at their camp in Spain, the squad flew home to the UK and adjusted back to the English climate at Watford's training ground in Hertfordshire during training on Sunday.

The U21s have a great record at European level and are without defeat in over three years, except for the penalty shootout defeat against the Netherlands in Euro 2007.

However, tonight Pearce may be suffering with a selection headache as he will be without three key players, with Micah Richards (groin), Gabby Agbonlahor (back) and Nedum Onuoha (Abductor muscle) all on the injury list.

As for the number one jersey, Pearce is spoilt for choice with our very own Scott Loach, Manchester City's Joe Hart and Peterborough United's Joe Lewis all competing for the number one shirt.

The 'Orns stopper will be hoping to feature in tonight's match in order to get some match practice in preparation for the competitive matches in Spain over the next few weeks.

The U21s match is live on Setanta tonight, KO 7.30pm.

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