Great Britain defender Micah Richards has revealed that a friendly rivalry between the men's and women's football teams is driving both sides to success.

Richards revealed that Daniel Sturridge has been swapping messages with women's defender Eniola Aluko as both teams prepare for knockout matches.

He said: "I think Sturridge has got Aluko's pin. He has been texting her saying, 'Whatever you can do, we can do better.' We're all in on it.

"The women's team have been together a long time and you can see that from the way they have gelled.

"It looks like they are going to be winners, but there is no reason why we can't win our next game as well. We have bonded well and are fighting for each other."

Hope Powell's side are up first against Canada on Friday in Coventry before Stuart Pearce's team play South Korea in Cardiff on Saturday.