Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor has urged FA chiefs to not take Stuart Pearce away from the England U21 setup.

Fabio Capello is under pressure to add an Englishman to his currently all-Italian backroom staff, and Pearce's success with the under-21 side makes him a prime candidate.

But Taylor, set to return to the United defence today after injury, fears Pearce's departure could ruin England's hopes of becoming European Under-21 champions in 2009.

"It would be a real blow for everyone connected with the England Under-21 set-up if Stuart joined the senior side," Taylor told the Sunday Sun.

"It would be a big chance for him and I can appreciate why he would want to work with Capello. But from a purely selfish perspective I hope he stays with the Under-21s and tries to win the European title."