ROVERS defender Lucas Neill believes Australia's Socceroos can send a powerful message out to the rest of the world by beating England in tonight's friendly at Upton Park.

Neill is set to be named in the Aussie team for the match against an experimental England side.

And the former Millwall ace believes the Socceroos can use the match as a great opportunity to boost the profile of Australian fotball across the world.

"I've been saying this for a while but we can only improve ourselves if we beat teams such as England," said Rovers defender Neill.

"No-one is going to give us respect on the world stage unless we start achieving results and getting to World Cups.

"That's why games like this are so important for our preparations.

"We realise we can gauge our level of performances by getting to a World Cup and this is a great way of raising the level of our game to get there."

England might have suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Aussies when the two countries met in the cricketing arena recently, but they will start tonight's game as clear favourites to gain some revenge.

However, Neill is confident Frank Farina's team can pull off a shock.

"This is one I won't have any trouble lifting myself for," said the Rovers defender.

"I'm delighted to be in the squad and I just hope that I can play some part.

"We don't fear them, which is good, and we do have something to prove.

"I think it will be a great game, very competitive. The Australia versus England thing always gives it an edge and we won't want to lose.

"We'll want to be tough to beat and they are not going to find it easy.

"As far as England are concerned, there's going to be 11 dangermen for us to watch out for.

"Obviously, Beckham is very influential because he wears the armband for England.

"And I think Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand at the back are unbelievable defenders so if they can be solid there then that's going to be the hardest thing for us.

"If they can keep Harry and Viduka quiet then that's going to make us struggle.

"But we'll just see if we can match them one-on-one all over the field."