Both Cole and Warnock are likely to appear against the Japanese in Graz, leaving Baines to hope he has done enough to stake his claim. Of Monday’s game, he added: “It was a massive step up from the Egypt game. Mexico were miles better. They have been playing a lot of games recently and they looked really sharp. We didn’t and at times that showed. But it still says something that we’ve managed to win.

“It’s harder to make the step up when you are playing against top teams. In the World Cup, we’ll get to play against better teams than Mexico because we will hopefully go all the way. But Mexico were a very good side.

“They looked fit and strong and you have got to up your game when you play against them.”

Baines and his England colleagues will head back to Austria today for the remainder of their high-altitude training camp. And the Everton man believes the team spirit among the squad is helping him overcome homesickness.

“Everyone wants to be a part of England, to come away and play, but I have always found it really hard, even when I was teenager, being away from home,” said Baines. “I have always struggled with it. That’s quite tough. But the more time you spend around the lads, the more you begin to feel part of everything.

“They are all good lads, everyone is friendly and gets on with each other. There’s no case of feeling out the picture. The more time you spend with everyone, the easier it is. It takes time to settle in fully but the lads make it easier for you. There is a good spirit among the lads and that is a real help.”