Source: Team_Talk
Jones relishing Rovers fight
Phil Jones is relishing the fight for places as Blackburn begin their pre-season preparations.[LNB] The 18-year-old defender caught the eye after making the first-team breakthrough towards the end of last season.[LNB]He is part of Rovers' travelling party bound for Austria on Friday for a week of training then a friendly against Sturm Graz on July 10.[LNB]And Jones is then expecting a battle with New Zealand World Cup star Ryan Nelsen and Chris Samba to gain a regular starting role next term.[LNB]"It isn't going to be easy, no-one said it was going to be easy," he told the club's official website.[LNB]Top quality[LNB]"They are both top quality players - in training not just in games - so I've got to fight for my position.[LNB]"I'll look forward to that and it's something I will relish.[LNB]"Grant Hadley is another really good defender so the competition is good all over in every position this year so I'm really looking forward to it."[LNB]Last summer Jones was promoted from the Academy to the reserves squad and he is eager to keep his feet on the ground after earning 10 first-team starts last season.[LNB]"I'm proud of what I've done but time doesn't stand still, you move on," he added. "That is in the past now and that's football for you.[LNB]Exciting[LNB]"You've got to take everything that comes along and hope for the best.[LNB]"It is different than last year, it's a better position to be in. I'm enjoying my time and I hope to get a good pre-season under my belt, get fit and get playing again.[LNB]"Once you've tasted first-team football you want more of it and hopefully I can do that.[LNB]"It is really exciting but I've got to keep my head down and keep doing the right things."
