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Alfie Mawson says England U21s have shown they can 'hack' Euro pressure

Defender Alfie Mawson believes the England Under-21s have shown they can "hack'' the pressure at Euro 2017.

The Young Lions face hosts Poland on Thursday for a place in the semifinals following their comeback victory over Slovakia.

Mawson scored the equaliser before Nathan Redmond completed a 2-1 win in Kielce on Monday and put England top of Group A with one game left.

A dressing room inquest at half-time helped inspire their recovery after Martin Chrien's opener and Mawson feels the Young Lions have risen to the challenge as they look to reach the knockout stages for the first time since 2009.

He said: "The pressure was there, we knew that before the game It was added to at 1-0 down. We just feel we have the strength of character and the personalities to overcome when we are up against the wall.

"People might say the English can't hack it but we showed that there is a breed of players coming through that we are progressing the right way.

"We could easily have crumbled when one down but we stood up to it. We stuck to the task and passed with flying colours.''

England also have sports psychologist Rebecca Symes in Poland with them and Swansea's Mawson believes she has helped the squad overcome any mental challenges.

"Different players take different things from her. Personally she said the other day to remember three things you do when you play well,'' he said.

"For me it might be a block or a positioning thing. Centre forwards could think of the way they have struck the ball for a goal, or a good run. Little things like that to creep into the back of your mind.

"You don't over think them, they are there subconsciously. Some of the lads have had little chats with her. She is a vibrant, positive soul and wants to pass on positivity which is what we need.

"The little details, the percentages add up. It might be the media, putting pressure on and firing up off that. Little things to get a win.''

Redmond scored his 10th Under-21 goal at the Kolporter Arena and sits just three behind record-holders Alan Shearer and Francis Jeffers.

He played up front with Tammy Abraham and insisted England's approach to the Poland game will not change despite knowing victory will send them through.

Redmond said: "With the same attitude We come into every game wanting to win, we would have been disappointed if we didn't get anything out of Slovakia and we're England and look to win every single game.

"The other day before this game it was in our hands and the press were saying it wasn't. Before the game we're mid-table/bottom and after we're top of the league. That's football and the challenges of tournament and international football as well.''