Source: Team_Talk
Allardyce: Jones is ready for England
lackburn boss Sam Allardyce claims Phil Jones has been such a revelation that he is already knocking on the door of the England senior team.[LNB] Allardyce puts 18-year-old defender Jones alongside Arsenal's Jack Wilshere as those young players who have shown they have the talent to become senior international regulars by their displays in the Premier League and for the England Under-21s.[LNB]Jones has been playing in central midfield for Rovers - and is likely to be there again for Sunderland's visit on Monday - but in his more familiar centre-back spot for the Under-21s.[LNB]Allardyce said: "You are never too young if you are good enough.[LNB]"It's a balancing act of when is the right time and when it's beneficial for him to step up.[LNB]"At the moment only Fabio Capello and his team can make that judgement by watching him in the Premier League - which is in midfield for us where he has been outstanding this year - and for the Under-21s where he plays at centre-half.[LNB]"We all, myself included, think that central defence will be his natural position in the end.[LNB]"But when an 18-year-old can step up into the ferociousness of the midfield in the Premier League - which is more ferocious than in defence as everything is happening all around you - and can compete at that level it shows you the talent of this young man.[LNB]"If you look at all the players of Phil's age there's only him, young Jack Wilshere at Arsenal, and perhaps Jack Rodwell at Everton if he wasn't injured, who play on a regular basis.[LNB]"Whether it's right to take it a little bit further is for them [Capello] to decide."[LNB]Allardyce warned however that there was a danger of playing the 18-year-old too much and burning him out.[LNB]He added: "For me it's about managing Phil Jones between the Under-21s and the Premier League and making sure I don't over-play him because that could be a problem.[LNB]"There could be a tendency to think that he's a fit and healthy young man who can run around every single game but we have to make sure we don't risk him being fatigued and perhaps getting injured."
