Gareth Southgate: 'England will not become Spain in next eight months'

Gareth Southgate has played down England's hopes of mounting a serious World Cup challenge by claiming that they will not "become Spain in the next eight months".

The Three Lions qualified for the 2018 tournament in Russia by beating Slovenia 1-0 at Wembley on Thursday night, though the win was only assured in injury time thanks to Harry Kane's 94th-minute strike.

Prior to the Tottenham Hotspur striker's intervention, England had laboured to little avail against Srecko Katanec's charges, who had conceded just four goals in their previous eight qualifiers.

Following the win over Slovenia, which saw England cement first place in Group F, Southgate claimed that the performance "highlighted where we are" and admitted that they will need to step up their game between now and June.

"It's not a relief, I always thought we'd achieve the objective [of qualifying]. Tonight highlighted where we are," the 47-year-old told BBC Sport.

"We know exactly where we need to improve. We do have players who can score goals. It is a work in progress and when I was given the job the aim was to qualify for the World Cup.

"As a young team and having to deal with the expectation and criticism of their performances, it is tough for them. They are giving everything they've got.

"They don't have Champions League winning medals between them. We have to give them the belief and the backing to help them achieve. We are not going to become Spain in the next eight months."

England conclude their qualifying campaign away to Lithuania on Sunday.