Woodcock's Owen worry

Owen Hargreaves (l) in action against Holland

Former England striker Tony Woodcock believes Owen Hargreaves is in danger of becoming a victim of great expectation.

Hargreaves made his full England debut in Wednesday's friendly against Holland, playing on the left side of midfield before being substituted at half-time.

But Woodcock, now coach at Bundesliga team Eintracht Frankfurt, has questioned the wisdom of the selection.

"I think he deserved a chance to play, but it's typical of some people, all week they build him up as the Messiah," said Woodcock.

He has been built up as a wonder boy

Tony Woodcock on Owen Hargreaves

"Then the next week he's not as good as they thought he was and so it's all a bit unfair.

"He has been built up as wonder boy. He's a young talented player but he's no Diego Maradona or Pele."

Ottmar Hitzfeld, the midfielder's coach at Bayern, has also been critical of Hargreaves' selection, saying it had come too soon and that the youngster "did not need all the attention".

Hargreaves was a virtual unknown in England 12 months ago but a series of excellent displays for Bayern Munich in last season's Champions League brought the 20-year-old to the selectors attention.

Raised in Canada, Hargreaves is eligible to play for England because his father is from Bolton.

Meanwhile, Woodcock believes England will play much better against Germany in the crucial World Cup qualifier on 1 September than they did against the Dutch.

"I think we're going to be up for it," said the former Nottingham Forest striker.

"Our lads haven't even started playing their season yet so it's difficult to expect them to produce the goods already."