Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admits that he has been impressed with England's young players, insisting that they improve the Three Lions' chances of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup finals.

Scolari believes that England are "struggling" to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil, but sees the Hodgson's introduction of youth as crucial.

Speaking to reporters ahead of tonight's friendly at the Maracana Stadium, Scolari said: "England beat us in London but they are struggling to get to the World Cup so it is an important game.

"The English team has good players and although they have not been not winning they have a renewed team and good technical players. You can see that the young players their coach has selected have responded well.

"Now this coach has put many young players in his team and maybe now the national team for England is better than before, even if other teams are still ahead - Spain, Germany, maybe even Brazil."

England trail Montenegro in their World Cup qualifying group by two points, with Poland and Ukraine just four points behind with a game in hand.