Source: Daily_Mail
Sam Allardyce: I won't run Blackburn's Phil Jones into ground
Not taking risks: Sam Allardyce will rest Phil Jones[LNB]Sam Allardyce is determined to make sure England Under-21 defender Phil Jones avoids being plagued by injuries like Michael Owen who the Blackburn manager says was 'overplayed' by Liverpool as a teenager.[LNB]Jones, 18, has been called up by England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce for next Tuesday's friendly against Uzbekistan at Ashton Gate after breaking into Allardyce's first team last season at an exceptionally early age just as Owen did at Anfield. [LNB]But Allardyce believes Owen was played too regularly by Liverpool as an 18-year-old and feels his elvation to England's senior ranks has led to the muscular problems that have blighted the second half of the Manchester United's striker career.[LNB]Allardyce has vowed to adopt an ultra careful approach to Jones' progression - if he can holf of the youngster who has been linked with a move to no less than five different Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool.[LNB]Allardyce said: 'Phil is 18 and you have to take into account the delicate state of his body. He has not matured into an adult yet.[LNB]'When you are playing in the top league in the world it can be a huge risk if he is overplayed.[LNB]'The perfect example is Michael Owen. Liverpool overplayed him at 18. All of a sudden he is riddled with hamstring injuries and despite only being 30 he is now struggling to recapture the form from when he was 21. We have to guard against that.'[LNB] Blighted by injuries: Striker Michael Owen has had a fair share of the sidelines[LNB]Allardyce admitted Jones' rise to the England Under-21 side means he might not play every week for Rovers in order to give the teenager enough rest between games. [LNB]'I will manage the situation the best way I possibly can, which really would be for the rest of the team to play at their best so I can give Phil a little rest here and there,' said Allardyce.[LNB]'It won't happen in the Under-21s because Stuart Pearce will want him most games, which is understandable.[LNB]'I don't want to put too much pressure on him because he might take a dip from last season.[LNB]'If he does that we will take him to one side until he is ready to come backin. We will not destroy his confidence.'[LNB] Robbie Savage rues his decision not to sign for David Moyes at Everton when he left Birmingham Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce admits takeover won't happen in time for summer spending spree Sign up to our FREE Fantasy Football game - with £40,000 in prize money up for grabsBLACKBURN FC
