Daniel Sturridge headed in the winner nine minutes from time after Adam Lallana clipped a left-footed cross to the back post for the Liverpool striker to continue his good form in front of goal.

Jack Wilshere of England grimaces as he goes to ground during the International Friendly match between England and Denmark at Wembley Stadium on March 5, 2014 © Getty Images

In the first half, Wayne Rooney tried to turn an effort goalwards after Kasper Schmeichel had committed himself early on, but the Manchester United striker could only swipe the ball towards the corner flag.

Arsenal fans had their hearts in their mouths when Jack Wilshere was taken off with a foot injury following a challenge with Daniel Agger, but the England midfielder returned to the fray moments later.

Sturridge came close to breaking the deadlock when he skipped by a challenge with a step-over before lashing a right-footed effort just wide of the far post just after the half-hour mark.

Gary Cahill managed to turn away Jacob Poulsen's effort on 37 minutes after the Dane had slipped his shot past Joe Hart in the England goal.

Wayne Rooney of England goes round Kasper Schmeichel of Denmark during the International Friendly match between England and Denmark at Wembley Stadium on March 5, 2014 © Getty Images

Raheem Sterling somehow managed to hit the post from Ashley Cole's low cross following good link-up play between Sturridge and Rooney towards the end of the half.

Sturridge was then denied by Schmeichel on the stroke of half time from close range.

After the restart, Luke Shaw played in an inviting low cross after running onto Sterling's through-ball but Sturridge couldn't get on the end of the Southampton teenager's pass on 56 minutes.

Nicklas Bendtner managed to squeeze out a low shot from the edge of the box minutes later after he capitalised on Cahill's slip inside the box.

Danny Welbeck, who had earlier replaced Rooney, nearly broke the deadlock on 67 minutes but his effort was beaten away by Schmeichel.

The Manchester United forward was denied from close range again on 71 minutes after Jordan Henderson had played him inside the six-yard box.

As the Three Lions laboured on, it was Sturridge who eventually illuminated Wembley with his winning goal to give Roy Hodgson a win before he finalises his World Cup squad.