Germany's Bierhoff has admitted England's recent youth-level successes have given the World Champions a wake-up call

Germany's general manager Oliver Bierhoff admits England's success at youth-team level has given the world champions a wake-up call.

In the last five months, England's Under-17s and Under-20s have won their respective World Cups and that has made other nations sit up and take notice - not least the reigning senior champions.

"We can't rest on our laurels after the successful qualification campaign and the Confederations Cup win," Bierhoff told a press conference ahead of their friendly against Gareth Southgate's side at Wembley.

"It's completely different at a World Cup. We are the ones being chased.

"We can see what is going on in countries around the world. England are the Under-17 and Under-20 world champions, and France and Brazil have also been improving massively.

"Everyone will be watching us and will want to knock us off the top. We know the great potential we have.

"Therefore it is important to use the four big matches, against England, France, Spain and Brazil, to improve and keep on developing as a team.

"We have to all give 100 percent and not let up for a second."