Stuart Pearce has urged a much-changed England Under-21 side, in which Wilfried Zaha is expected to start up front, to play with composure and devilment against Norwayon Saturday evening. With England desperate for a victory after losing to Italy in their opening match, the news that Zaha has recovered from an ankle problem has given Pearce a major boost.

Danny Rose and Thomas Ince also return after serving one-match suspensions, strengthening an England side who were outclassed against Italy. It is also possible that Chelsea's Nathaniel Chalobah will come into midfield alongside Jordan Henderson, and Tottenham Hotspur's Adam Smith will replace Nathaniel Clyne at right-back.

It is Zaha's availability, however, that promises to make the biggest difference. Unable to play any part against Italy, the Manchester United forward's inclusion will inject some much needed creativity and penetration into the team.

"He has been kicking his heels," Pearce said. "We have brought him on slowly over the last couple of days in regard to the slight injury he has had. He was outstanding in training [on Thursday] and it was the same again [on Friday]. He is showing me that he is fit for selection. He has played through the middle a couple of times and it is an option we have."

Pearce has made it clear that he expects to see a major improvement. "We need to see a touch more energy and drive and a bit more confidence on the ball," he said. "We've played some good football over the last few months, irrespective of our results. We've had some good movement and interaction in the team – that didn't show itself against Italy. I certainly think it will [against Norway].

"We just needed to show a bit more devilment [against Italy] and when we had the ball we needed to show a bit more composure with our movement and our flair. We've got some good players in our team and too many of them didn't show that character. But I'm confident they will [against Norway]."

With Norway drawing 2-2 against Israel in their opening game, England will be eliminated if they lose, which would be particularly galling given that the draw was kind to them.

Pearce went to watch Holland beat Germany 3-2 on Thursday – Spain and Russia are the other two teams in Group B – and was full of praise for the standard. "It's probably the highest quality Under-21 match I've ever seen. The Dutch in the first half were scintillating and the character of the German side to fight back into the game … It was a great advert for Under-21 football."

England (probable, 4-2-3-1): Butland; Smith, Caulker, Dawson, Rose; Henderson, Chalobah; Redmond, Shelvey, Ince; Zaha. Norway (probable, 4-3-3): Nyland; Elabdellaoui; Strandberg, Semb Berge, Linnes; S Johansen, Konradsen, Eikrem; Nielsen, Pedersen, Berget

Referee S Boiko (Ukr). TV Sky Sports 2, 5pm.