BLACKBURN Rovers striker Matt Derbyshire is confident England's Under 21s can still qualify for the knockout stages of the European Championships even though they have made a spluttering start to the tournament in Holland.

Derbyshire, 21, was an unused substitute on Monday evening as Stuart Pearce's side kicked off their group B campaign with a 0-0 draw against the Czech Republic following Leroy Lita's late penalty miss.

With tough games still to come against Italy tomorrow, and Serbia on Sunday, England are now under pressure to secure a place in next week's semi-finals.

However, Derbyshire is convinced his team-mates can bounce back from their early set-back, and he has pleaded with Pearce to give him the chance to fire the Three Lions into the last four.

"We still believe we can get through to the semi-finals," said Derbyshire.

"We've got to look to beat Italy on Thursday night, then if we do that it should be enough to knock them out and see us through.

"We were disappointed not to win the other night. It was a decent game and I thought we had quite a few chances to go ahead but we couldn't take them.

"Then when we got the penalty late on, I would have put my mortgage on Leroy scoring in that situation, but it was one of those things.

"It's all very well taking them in training but it's completely different in a match situation when the pressure is on."

Derbyshire was disappointed not to figure at all against the Czechs, but he is hoping for an opportunity against the Italians or the Serbs, and if one does come his way then he has vowed to seize it with both hands.

"I was very disappointed not to get on but the gaffer makes the decisions and you have to accept them," said Derbyshire.

"But if he gives me a chance in either of the next two games then I'll be ready for it."

As for David Bentley's controversial decision to withdraw from the squad on the eve of the tournament due to fatigue, Derbyshire said he could understand his Blackburn team-mate's predicament.

"Bents has played a lot of games this season so I understand his situation and where he is coming from," added the striker.