England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce claims that working alongside Fabio Capello has been hugely beneficial for his personal development and understanding of the game.

Capello took over from Steve McClaren as England boss in February and Pearce, who is learning Italian, has already picked up some coaching tips from the former AC Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid manager.

And Pearce will have the chance to put some of his new-found knowledge to the test when his side line up for a friendly international against Slovenia at Hull's KC Stadiumon Tuesday night.

"Fabio's a top manager with one of the best CVs in the world, which is why the FA have employed him, so it is a great education for me to work with him," Pearce said.

"I would pay good money to go on a course with Fabio Capello speaking so I'm lucky to work with him now and it's been enjoyable.

"Being away in Trinidad and Tobago and USA with the seniors was fantastic for me - I had 12 days with the team and got to know Fabio and got to know some of the management staff better.

"For myself as a young upcoming manager, I think it is nice to be working alongside Fabio and anything I can pick up from him I'll take back down to the under-21 level."

Pearce stressed the importance of there being a regular exchange of players between the under-21 side and the senior squad.

The former Manchester City boss also insisted that there should be no stigma attached to any players who have played for the senior squad moving down to the under-21 side - something which he believes may not have always been the case in the past.

"In years gone by players have slipped into that no-mans land between the under-21 and senior football," Pearce explained.

"When I came in and took the job on a full-time basis I just felt that could not happen any more.

"Some players go through the door which is senior football and never to come back to the under-21s and they end up sitting outside.

"I think at one stage Aaron Lennon did a similar thing when he was in the seniors and then being deemed - in whose mind I don't know - too experienced to come back into the under-21 side.

"I don't think that should ever be the case."

Pearce, who is without Newcastle defender Steven Taylor for the match against Slovenia after he withdrew from the squad with an ankle injury, also revealed that he is behind plans for British team in the 2012 Olympics which could further the education of young players.

He added: "I think in terms of the Olympics we will be looking to put in a team in four years' time, and that could be great for some players.

"With football being the national sport I think it will come to prominence at the Olympics and I think there will be a lot more interest in it as we get closer to it."

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