Pearce keen for England squad to be revealed at earliest date

It is understood behind the scenes preparations have been taking place for some time now, with Football Association officials working towards the May 10 deadline, three days before the Premier League season is due to finish and over a fortnight before the UEFA deadline for naming squads.

Pearce has told the FA it is unreasonable for players to end their club season without knowing whether they will be required for this summer’s finals in Poland and Ukraine.

Unless the FA confirm the identity of Fabio Capello’s replacement within the next fortnight, they will either have to tear up Pearce’s blueprint, which they asked him to draw up, or confirm him as interim manager for the Euros.

It has privately been stressed that there is no chance of Pearce choosing someone else’s squad, as also appeared to be a possibility.

Even FA insiders insist the situation is far from ideal, merely heightening the problems that have been caused by the FA’s refusal to make a move for their preferred candidate for fear of wrecking club campaigns that have now reached such a delicate stage.

“I have no idea whether I will be selecting it but I fully expect, whether it is me or the next man, he will be selecting the squad around that time (May 10),” said Pearce. “The season ends on May 13 and the players need to know.”

England have friendlies against Norway on May 26 and Belgium seven days later, so clearly a squad will have to be selected for those fixtures anyway.

However, as it was thought the FA were waiting to discover whether Tottenham qualified for the Champions League, it was assumed contact would be made with favourite Harry Redknapp, plus any other potential England manager, once those crucial last-day fixtures had been completed.

It is understood that if this scenario unfolds, the May 10 deadline will be pushed back, with the FA believing they have a further 10 days at most to come up with a squad.

“Whoever the manager is, as you have seen with many clubs, there is an uplift when the new manager comes in,” said Pearce.

“My ego is not that big I would feel disappointed if it wasn’t me.

“Whilst the organisation needs me to make decisions for the England team, I will do so.”