Rooney is banned for the first three matches of Euro 2012 but as former England captain and current Under-21s boss Stuart Pearce was unveiled as the head coach of Team GB men's football team and Hope Powell put in charge of the women's side, the Football Association appeared to shift the goalposts. They had intimated that no players involved in Euro 2012 would be selected for the Olympics. But, when asked if Rooney might be included if Fabio Capello's England side went out in the group phase, Club England managing director Adrian Bevington said: "Our real hope and aspiration is that Wayne can be available for the European Championships. "Once we know where we stand there, it is one for Stuart with Fabio (Capello) really." Capello's squad for Euro 2012 is likely to include young players such as Arsenal's Jack Wilshere and Manchester United's Danny Welbeck and Phil Jones, all of whom are eligible to play in the Under-23 Olympic squad and would be automatic picks for Pearce. Asked whether players could now play at both Euro 2012 and the Olympics, Bevington said: "What we don't want to do is lock ourselves in. "We are aware of the challenges which will be presented for any player to play in both tournaments. "But we are not going to lock ourselves into a situation which says no-one who goes to the Euros can actually go to the Olympics. "Any of those situations would have to be managed sensibly and sensitively." It is clear Pearce wants to assemble the strongest-possible squad and he insists he has been given total control by the Football Association to pick whoever he wants, while Team GB chef de mission Andy Hunt also confirmed that the home nations associations will "not stand in the way of any player who wants to be involved". Asked about the possibility of Manchester United's 37-year-old veteran Ryan Giggs and David Beckham being two of the three over-age players allowed in his 18-man squad of Under-23s Pearce said: "I won't close the door on anyone, especially if you are talking about an individual of Ryan's ability. "It's important you go with your strongest team with a view to winning the tournament. That's absolutely crucial. "It is a great opportunity to showcase British football on our own soil. I'm very excited by it." On the possible inclusion of 36-year-old Beckham, Pearce added: "I've no idea as yet. I've not seen him play recently. He's a bit too old for the Under-21s. "Everyone will be up for selection. The FA have said to me the decision is totally yours, you pick who you deem right and proper to be part of this spectacle." Pearce, however, ideally wants a team of players from all the home nations. Welsh players, Tottenham's Gareth Bale and Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey, have already stated they want to play in the Games. Pearce, who played 78 times for England and was nicknamed 'Psycho' for his passionate approach, said: "I'm not going into this job looking only to select English players. It should be made up if at all possible of all the home nations. "I don't feel obliged to pick anybody, even English. I won't shut the door to anyone. "It would be silly of me not to select players I thought were good enough." Pearce is anxious to embrace the Olympic spirit and insists his players will stay in the Olympic village whenever "logistically possible". He also believes English fans will support the concept of a Team GB men's football team, which has not been seen at the Olympics since 1960 in Rome when they failed to make the medal round. "When I watch the Olympics I support Scottish players," Pearce said. "I support the Scottish football team when they are playing other teams as well. I want them to be at major finals." Pearce added: "We have bought into the Olympic ideal and that excites me. To stay in the village and be part of the whole Olympic ideal. "Sometime in the future when we sit back with our grandchildren we'll look back and say we were part of that Olympics and it will be fantastic to do so." Team GB has never competed in a women's Olympic competition and Powell said: "The fact that we are on home soil with the opportunity to play at Wembley for women's football is a fantastic honour. "It will really help us to raise the profile of women's football."
