England manager Roy Hodgson to take charge of Under-21 clash against Scotland

National coach will take charge of the youth team while search continues for Stuart Pearce's replacement

Roy Hodgson has rejected Gary Lineker's claim that England's tactics against the Republic of Ireland were a 'step back to the dark ages' (PA Wire)

The Football Association have announced that Roy Hodgson will take charge of the Under-21's match against Scotland on August 13, just a day before the senior sides are due to meet at Wembley.

The match, which will take place at Bramall Lane, will kick-off a weekend battle against the 'Auld Enemy' as a prelude to the Wembley clash. It had been hoped that the chosen replacement for Stuart Pearce would have been in charge for the tie, but instead Hodgson will get a chance to work with the younger talent emerging through the rank.

Meanwhile, the search will continue for a new manager, following Pearce's departure after the FA failed to extend his contract following a dismal campaign at the Under-21 European Championships, that saw Pearce's squad fail to score a single point and score just one goal in three group matches.

The Under 21's next game is scheduled for Thursday September 5 against Moldova, and the FA are confident a new manager will be in place in time to take charge of that clash, with the venue also yet to be confirmed.

Hodgson said: "There is an opportunity while the recruitment process goes on for me to work with this squad for this fixture, and it is something I very much wanted to do.

"Following the tournament in the summer a number of players are now too old for the age group, so we will look at a new batch and I'm keen to work closely on the training field with them for the few days before the game at Bramall Lane.

"I watch the under-21 fixtures and I was in Israel for the (European Championship) tournament, but as a coach nothing can beat the training field and the team hotel for getting to know players properly. In a World Cup year it makes absolute sense while there is the chance to do it."

The new manager of the Under-21's will have control of the rest of the younger age groups, in a move that the FA hope will create better consistency across the board for the national teams.

Club England managing director Adrian Bevington said: "This should ensure a consistency of style across all our teams.

"We are managing an open recruitment process for this role and expect to have a new coach in position for the September qualifying games."