MARK Hughes reckons England pack the attacking weaponry to stand up to anyone in the World Cup.

The Three Lions are targeting a quarter-final spot tomorrow night when they face Senegal in the second round.

And Hughes swallowed his disappointment at Wales’ early exit from Qatar to predict more success for Gareth Southgate’s men.

“They’ve got great talent and could go very close,” said the City boss. “The strength in depth they’ve got is as good as I’ve seen from England in the past.

“They’ve always had exceptional players but maybe the players to come on and make a difference weren’t quite the same level. That’s not the case now.

“They’ve got real talent at the top end of the pitch and those are the players who will win you games in tournament football.

“Look at the other squads and there are not too many who have that ability to bring on like for like that England have.”

Hughes was gutted for his homeland, who flew home on Thursday after flopping in their first appearance in the finals for 64 years.

“We didn’t really make an impression,” admitted Hughes, who was capped 72 times and managed Wales for five years.

“We were delighted to be in a World Cup after so long and once you’re there you want to make people sit up and take notice.

“It was a little bit low-key in both games up to the England one and there was always a danger that given England’s quality they were going to be too strong for us in the last one.

“We had to get the job done in the first two games and unfortunately found ourselves lacking. It didn’t really happen.

“It’s a shame because I’ve seen Wales play a lot of games in recent times and they can play much better than they were able to for whatever reason.

“But everybody involved can pat themselves on the back. It’s a great experience for them being part of a squad that have played in a World Cup.

“There’s not many Welsh players who can say that, including myself. Credit to them for getting there in the first place.”

It is seen as an end of an era for that Wales side with question marks over the future of the most experienced heads, including star man Gareth Bale.

Hughes said: “Some senior players will decide that’s enough for them. International football is a big commitment.

“Sometimes you get to a point where maybe you need more rest time in the latter years of your career.

“You see your team-mates going off for a break in Dubai and you think, goodness me, I’ve got two games against Germany and Portugal.

“I’d go for playing those games but you can see how players think, ‘maybe my time’s up’ and let somebody else have a chance.

“I’m sure some of the senior players will look and think they’ve given their all for Wales and now’s the time to go.”

But Hughes avoided any stick from within the City dressing room in the light of the England defeat.

“It’s been very quiet, there’s been no mention whatsoever,” he smiled. “Perhaps it was a good job we had Wednesday off!”