Paul Merson: 'Italy test will show if England have improved'

Paul Merson has said that England will find out if they have improved since the World Cup when they take on Italy tonight.

The Three Lions lost 2-1 to the four-time world champions in the group stages last summer, but they are unbeaten since they left Brazil.

Roy Hodgson's men impressed in their 4-0 win over Lithuania on Friday night, but Merson insists that the game in Turin will decide how good England are.

He told Sky Sports News: "You can't read too much into the Lithuania game because they were such a poor side. These types of friendlies are games where you should go and make an impression at the very least.

"It was only last year that we lost to Italy in the World Cup, so for me this is a real benchmark for how much England have actually improved and to see where we are against the bigger teams."

England won their last friendly against Italy in 2012.