World Cup qualifiers: England look for EPL inspiration against Slovenia

John Stones believes England are capable of producing performances against high-calibre opposition akin to Manchester City's display in their victory at Chelsea on Saturday. City's bold approach to the match paid off, with them dominating proceedings as they underlined their Premier League title credentials with a 1-0 win over the champions.

England midfielder Jesse Lingard (left) striker Harry Kane (centre) and defender John Stones (second from right) during a training session yesterday ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Slovenia tonight. The Three Lions will then play Lithuania on October 8. Pic/AFP

England are on the brink of securing qualification for next summer's World Cup finals in Russia. The defender was asked ahead of tonight's home clash with Slovenia about the possibility of the national team being as courageous as City were at the weekend.

And Stones said: "We have the players to do it. It's difficult to bring how you play in the Premier League into international football. It's so different. "But we are always striving to become better, and there is a lot of likeness between how City play and international football."

There has been some criticism of him since he signed for City, but he is keen to point to his recent record of how he is faring at the moment - in the nine games he has started this season, City have kept seven clean sheets. "As a player, I think I've always been moving in the right direction. Everyone has their ups and downs. We have started this season well as a team. It was an important game and defensively, on a personal note, I think it's maybe one of the best games I've played in," Stones said "I think the hunger to keep improving and getting to more targets in my game is making me strive to become better."

Seven No. of clean sheets Man City have managed in nine games in which John Stones has started, this season