James Tarkowski’s commanding Everton form is offering a compelling case for his inclusion in England’s World Cup squad ­– but the centre-back insists his full focus is on helping the Blues pick up vital Premier League points ahead of the Qatar tournament.

Tarkowski delivered the latest in a series of high-calibre performances in Everton’s goalless draw with Fulham on Saturday.

The 29-year-old is the only member of the Everton squad to have played every top-flight minute this season and has been an instrumental part of a backline with the fourth best defensive record in the division.

Tarkowski’s courageous, wholehearted approach is underlined by the fact he has made more blocks than any other top-flight player this season. Indeed, his 30 blocks are twice as many as the player second in that category. Only two individuals have made more clearances than Tarkowski’s 74.

While Tarkowski revealed he does not pay great attention to his personal statistics – “that’s just part of my job, getting in the way of the ball and stopping it going in the goal” – he declared his aim to provide a greater threat at the opposite end of the pitch.

“I need to add more goals to my game,” he told evertontv.

“I feel in my own box I’m quite good at getting my head on things, so I need to start getting my head on the ball in the other box.

"I had a chance against Fulham but my header went straight down the goalkeeper’s throat.

“Hopefully, I can get some goals in the coming games.”

On his England ambitions, Tarkwoski added: “It’s still a couple of weeks until the World Cup squad is announced.

“For me, it’s just head down, work hard, get ready to perform for this club, and we’ll see what happens.”

Tarkowski admitted a degree of frustration Everton could not follow up their excellent 3-0 win over Crystal Palace with another winning display at Fulham.

He says the Blues must significantly elevate their performance levels in their final three games before the World Cup break.

Everton host Leicester City on Saturday before an away double-header at Bournemouth – the Blues will contest a Carabao Cup tie at Vitality Stadium on 8 November before another trip to the south coast to face the Cherries four days later.

“We need to find a way of being consistent week-in, week-out,” Tarkowski said. “Hopefully, through time, we’ll get there.

“In the previous game against Crystal Palace we were terrific, but we weren’t as good [against Fulham]. I don’t think we moved the ball as well.

“There are still things to be worked on. The performance will be looked at in the next week and we need to see why we weren’t quite at it.

“It’s important, when you’re not at your best, you still come away with a point. They all tally up. We’ve got good team spirit and in matches like Fulham, that keeps us in the game.

“We have some big fixtures coming ahead. We look forward to that, hopefully the performance improves, and we can get some more points on the board.”

Tarkowski was also asked about the form of defensive colleague Vitalii Mykolenko, who also impressed against a vibrant Fulham attack on Saturday.

“I thought he was terrific,” Tarkowski added.

“Some of the blocks he made… Blocking crosses, blocking shots and getting his head on the ball.

“He was brilliant in a game which was difficult – they had a lot of balls coming into the box from and two-v-one situations out wide, but he’s been top drawer. He’s only going to get better for us."