Sinclair: I thrive on pressure

Sinclair: I thrive on pressure

Published Jun. 18, 2011 9:15 a.m. ET

Swansea star Sinclair has been a "frustrated" spectator for most of the Young Lions' opening two Group B matches in Denmark, but has twice impressed coming off the bench. With Danny Rose failing to make any real impact on the left-hand side, it looks likely Sinclair will start against the Czech Republic in Viborg on Sunday night. And the 22-year-old former Chelsea youngster is relishing the prospect of another crunch clash, having netted a hat-trick in one of the most high-pressure club games of them all - last month's Championship play-off final. "Personally, the more the pressure game for me, the better I play," he said. "Back at Swansea, the semi-final with Nottingham Forest I did okay, and obviously in the final I did a bit more. "Adding more pressure to the game, I think it helps you as a player." Head coach Pearce admitted on Friday that some of his youngsters may have been paralysed by nerves in their draws with Spain and Ukraine. The heat will be on even more on Sunday, but seemingly not for Sinclair. "It's one of those we can't afford to lose or draw, because we go home, so we have to win," he said. "It makes it a bit more exciting to go into the last game making sure we have to win." Sinclair, who smashed in 27 goals for the Swans last season, added: "I feel like really in form as a player and coming off that and scoring such and such goals for Swansea, and winning the play-off final and bringing that buzz along." Sinclair revealed he had discussed his omission for the tournament opener against Spain with Pearce. "I have obviously spoken to the gaffer in the first game and had little words and points of view," he said. "But he picks the team and all I can do is work 100% in training and hopefully get the shout." An England victory would revive their hopes of winning the tournament - something which for Sinclair would match his play-off success. He added: "It'd be a great season for me and obviously great for the whole squad winning it."

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