SUNDERLAND defender Phil Bardsley has warned England's players to prepare for a footballing master-class when they lock horns with Spain in two days time.

Bardsley was a member of the Scotland side that suffered a 3-1 defeat to the world and European champions in the final round of Euro 2012 qualifiers last month.

While the Scots put up a spirited fight in Alicante, they were comprehensively outplayed by a Spain side that have now won nine of their last ten matches.

And with England set to kick off Saturday's game without Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Jack Wilshere, Bardsley expects Fabio Capello's men to have a difficult night.

"It was interesting against Spain, they're a top team," said the Sunderland defender, who has a game of his own to prepare for, with Scotland due to face Cyprus in Larnaca tomorrow. "I'm not sure about playing against them - I ran around against them and that's about it!

"Playing Spain is the pinnacle of your career, coming up against players like that. Sometimes, you stop and just think, ‘unbelievable'. I've never played against a team like it.

"I said to Fletch (Darren Fletcher) afterwards, ‘What's the difference between playing them and Barcelona?' He just said, ‘They bring (Lionel) Messi in for (David) Silva. It's not bad, is it?"

In particular, Bardsley has warned England's players to expect long periods without possession, such is the Spanish side's ability to patiently retain the ball.

Last year's World Cup winners adopt the same ‘tiki-taka' style adopted by Barcelona, with the likes of Silva, Xavi and Andres Iniesta constructing a series of intricate close-range passing moves.

It remains to be seen whether England's players are capable of disrupting them sufficiently to wrest away possession before their opponents begin to thread balls into the 18-yard box, but having failed to contain Spain's attackers last month, Bardsley is fully aware of just how effective England's weekend opponents can be.

"At first you get tight to them," he said. "But you're reversing and reversing and suddenly you're on the edge of your own box. They're still picking passes and waiting for someone to make a mistake, then they're in.

"The first goal against us was incredible. We didn't touch the ball for four minutes. From kick-off!

"Normally, the kick-off goes to a full-back, who'll try and clip one in to test the goalkeeper early doors. We didn't touch it for four minutes - then I intercepted one from Pedro, and it went out for a throw-in to them. They passed it to the other side, then went and scored. Unbelievable."

At least Scotland rallied in the second half, with David Goodwillie's 66th-minute penalty briefly raising hopes of an unlikely comeback.

It didn't happen, but at least the Scots' efforts exposed some vulnerabilities in the Spanish defence.

As a result, Bardsley does not feel Saturday's game is a foregone conclusion, but with England hoping to challenge in next year's European Championships in Poland and Ukraine, events at Wembley could still provide a stark illustration of how much improvement is required.

"I think Spain can probably be beaten over a game," he said. "But no one is getting near them in terms of a team and how good they are.

"The England game will be interesting. It will show where Spain are at - and it'll definitely show where England are at with all the hype starting to build to next summer."

Given that he was born in Salford, Bardsley could have taken the decision to pursue international honours with England.

Instead, his father's Glaswegian heritage enabled him to represent Scotland, and as he prepares to win his 11th cap since making his debut last October, he is delighted to be part of Craig Levein's camp.

"I'm really happy with the decision to play for Scotland," said Bardsley. "I was first asked when Walter Smith was the manager, and I said then I'd consider it, but I was probably a little bit young.

"I was only 17, I hadn't got into the (Manchester) United side or played a number of Premier League games. It was a difficult call at the time, but as time goes on and you're a regular in the Premier League every week, the decision becomes a no-brainer.

"Things are positive from a Scotland perspective. We've got a good manager and a bit of experience and youth in there. Hopefully, it's a blend that can give other countries a run for their money."