Jones backs Bothroyd's England claims

13 November 2010 20:00
Cardiff manager Dave Jones believes Jay Bothroyd is good enough to challenge for a place in the England squad after the striker scored two goals in the 4-2 win over Scunthorpe at Glanford Park. Bothroyd fired Cardiff in front inside a minute before eight minutes later setting up his strike partner Michael Chopra to make it 2-0. When Bothroyd then made it 3-0 with a 34th-minute header, Scunthorpe looked in real trouble. But midfielder Kevin McDonald reduced the arrears in first-half stoppage time with a right-foot volley and after 73 minutes the home struck back again with a close-range header from debut loan signing Dany N'Guessan from Leicester. That threatened to make things interesting until Cardiff struck again six minutes later when a shot from Adam Matthews was deflected home by midfield man Seyi Olofinjana. Jones said: "There are some quality players who play in the Championship. What they have to do is then show they can step up to the next level. I believe Jay Bothroyd can and that's why I recommended him for selection to the England team. "He's having an excellent season for us, I think he finds himself at home with a club that really believes in him.We are the first club that have ever offered him a contract extension."

Source: PA