Manchester United defender Chris Smalling says England can build on their back-to-back defeats this past week.
Smalling knows England came up against one of the best teams in the world and he believes the side will be much stronger once they have their best players back from injury.
"I think Germany are one of the favourites for the World Cup," Smalling said.
"They are a big nation. I don't know (how far we are behind them).
"They didn't have all their players available and we didn't have all of ours so there is a lot more that both sides can give."
Smalling believes England's get-together was not damaging.
"I think it was valuable for us," said Smalling, who made his fifth England start.
"It was a good taste of playing the teams we have got to come. It will help sharpen us when we meet up again in March. We need to be raring to go. We are looking forward to the summer."
