Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney has insisted the Three Lions are better than Italy.

WE'VE IMPROVED: Rooney thinks England have grown over the last two years while Italy have stood still

Roy Hodgson and his men tackle Italy in the Amazonian city of Manaus on Saturday and Rooney has warned their opponents not to expect an easy ride.

England lost to Italy on penalties during Euro 2012, but Rooney says the tables have turned over the last two years.

Asked if he thought England had moved ahead of Italy, Rooney said: "I think we have."

"I think the team we've got, not just the team but the squad, is a youthful squad - a lot of energy and excitement."

"In terms of Italy, it's more or less the same squad."

"It'll be an interesting game for us to see how we've moved on and how we've progressed in two years."

Rooney also revealaed that he thought United team-mate Danny welbeck would be back in training on Friday and recover from his thigh injury in time to feature in the Three Lions' openeing game in Manaus.