Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has suggested that England "have a very good chance" of going all the way in the upcoming World Cup finals.

The Three Lions stepped up their preparations for the quadrennial competition by edging out Nigeria 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley Stadium.

Mikel, who spent more than a decade in English football with Chelsea, believes that Gareth Southgate's men have enough about them to challenge some of the perennial favourites in Russia.

"I think they have a very good chance of going all the way because the youthfulness and energy in this team... you can feel it," he told reporters.

"I think the pace in the team, you can feel it, and that is why we had some problems in the first half. In the second half we corrected some mistakes and played a lot better. I think the England team have a good chance."

Goals from Gary Cahill and Harry Kane helped England to their slender victory on Saturday evening.