Stuart Pearce believes that England games should be televised live as “crown jewel” events.

It is understood that the FA offered tonight’s England Under-21 European Championship qualifier, against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia at Coventry City’s Ricoh Stadium, to broadcasting companies at no cost, yet were still rejected. Instead it will be streamed live on the FA’s website and televised, at a cost, on ChelseaTV.

Pearce wants the country to be able to watch its national team for free on television if fans cannot get to the game. “Certainly the senior team, the country should have access to it,” he said. “If you’re asking me should England and under-21 games be live on television, then yes, make no mistake.

“My wife wants to watch the game. It’s vitally important that the international matches at the different age groups should be on TV.”

Pearce admits that he has a dual challenge of allowing a new batch of under-21 players to develop while maintaining the winning habit that took the previous group to the verge of conquering Europe.

The England Under-21 coach is looking to Jack Wilshere, Jack Rodwell, Danny Welbeck and Co to maintain the good work of players such as James Milner, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Joe Hart who, too old for the under-21s, have progressed into Fabio Capello’s squad for the World Cup games against Ukraine and Belarus.

Pearce has the bonus of being able to call upon Theo Walcott for tonight’s match as the Arsenal winger seeks match fitness and a swift return to the seniors. While accompanying Pearce on his flight out to Dnipropetrovsk tomorrow morning may be premature for Walcott, a return to the senior squad for Wednesday’s game with Belarus at Wembley is feasible.

But it is the new group who have picked up the baton and, with it, the challenge of following the players who reached the final of this summer’s European Championship in Sweden, before earning senior call-ups. “While this is a transitional phase, we have to make sure we keep winning,” Pearce said. “There is a new group, if with eight or nine of the last squad with us. Every time this group come together, they look to be improving.”

Should Greece lose to Portugal today, victory would take England level at the top of group nine as they bid to qualify for Denmark 2011. Macedonia, whom Pearce’s team beat 2-1 in Prilep last month, have one point from three games and play Portugal in four days’ time. England’s next game is against Portugal at Wembley next month.

Micah Richards, who performed well in Sweden, may be handed the captain’s armband as he seeks to regain his place with the seniors and with Manchester City. “We’ve got Theo and Micah with us and they’re being told it’s in order to get back into the senior squad,” Pearce said.