England in it to win it – Stones

JOHN Stones knows the value of momentum from Manchester City’s recordbreaking Premier League campaign and wants England to keep the winning feeling alive with victory over Belgium on Thursday.

Both sides are already through to the last 16 of the World Cup, meaning their match in Kaliningrad is all about settling first and second place in Group G.

At present it l ooks as though runners-up spot may be rewarded with a gentler route through the knockouts, while a quarterfinal meeting against Germany or Brazil potentially awaits the victor.

But there appears little appetite i n the England camp to soft-pedal after back-to-back wins over Tunisia and Panama – with Stones channelling t he hunger which drove City to reach the magical 100-point barrier last season.

“We want to win,” was his decisive take. “I think we’ve got to keep a winning run going and that’s what I’ve brought from City to here: you’ve got to keep that momentum going.

“It’s always an added bonus to take it into the next game. We want to be winners at the end of the day, that’s why we’re in the competition.”

Stones, for one, heads into the game on a high.

He played a key role in the 6-1 thumping of Panama, scoring his first two England goals from headers and turning in an assured display at the heart of the back three.

Stones was quick t o credit his advancement u n d e r C i t y b o s s Pe p Guardiola.

“From two years ago to now, I’m a different person, a different player,” he said.

“As a kid I never thought I’d even get a chance to play for England let alone score. It’s not really sunk in to be honest.”

England defender John Stones wants to keep up pace.