WBA man says the England Under-21s defenders love scoring goals.

Craig Dawson says the England Under-21s defenders are in the mood for goals following the team's victory in Azerbaijan.

The West Bromwich Albion centre-back has scored four times during this campaign, which started last September, to top the scoring charts in Stuart Pearce’s squad. However, he’s recently started to feel his defensive team-mates breathing down his neck.

Steven Caulker headed the opener in the 2-0 win in Baku on Thursday which kept England two points clear at the top of Group 8. It was the Tottenham man’s second in two games for the Under-21s.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Martin Kelly has also netted twice for the Under-21s during their Euro 2013 qualifying campaign, meaning the back four have been a prolific provider of goals.

“Caulks is doing well at the minute,” said Dawson. “And Martin Kelly’s scored a couple of goals as well.

“It shows we’re strong at set-pieces and that we are able to weigh in with goals from the back. Kells also scored a bit of a solo effort against Iceland in Colchester. That was a very good goal; I’d love to get one like that.”

Three of England’s defensive quartet in Azerbaijan, Dawson, Caulker and Danny Rose, were also part of Pearce’s Team GB squad at London 2012. The 22-year-old former Rochdale defender says that the experiences learned in the Olympics can only aid in their development as players.

“We’ve spent a lot of time together, and have used the experience of the Olympics well. I think it will help us going forward and maybe help us next summer if we reach the Finals.

“Lessons will be learned and we’ll take the positives from it.”

It’s not all good news for Dawson, though, who picked up a second yellow card of the campaign in Baku and will miss Monday’s Group 8 decider with second-place Norway in Chesterfield.

But he was pleased that England came out with a win on a tricky artificial pitch, thanks to Caulker's effort and a late strike from Jonjo Shelvey, to leave them in a strong position to win the group.

“When I was a kid we’d play on pitches like that quite often, but as you get into the professional game it’s not something you do so much,” he added.

“There were a couple of newcomers to the squad who made their debuts, too, and they did well. It was a good solid away performance and everyone played well to get the clean sheet and a couple of important goals.”

Tickets for Monday's game with Norway at Chesterfield's Proact Stadium are still on sale, so make sure you're there to see the final Group qualifier. Click here for more details.