Jones: I'll play anywhere for England

13 November 2013 16:46

Manchester United's Phil Jones feels his versatility can only help his England World Cup dream.

The 21-year-old former Blackburn trainee has this season been utilised in both his preferred central-defensive role and also as a holding midfielder by new United boss David Moyes.

Jones impressed again when he dropped back alongside Jonny Evans following Nemanja Vidic's injury against Arsenal on Sunday at Old Trafford, when the Red Devils held out for a 1-0 win over the Barclays Premier League leaders.

While Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill look to be the first-choice pairing for England manager Roy Hodgson as he fine tunes preparations before naming his final squad for Brazil, Jones is determined to prove himself an invaluable asset with an opportunity likely to come in the Wembley matches against Chile on Friday and then Germany next Tuesday.

"I have not had a start yet (at centre-back for England), but hopefully that will come," said Jones.

"I can play in a number of positions, so it is up to the manager to decide that.

"I see it as an advantage that I can play in a few positions. Hopefully I can make use of that.

"It is up to the manager, either for England or my club, but I just enjoy playing football.

"I have always said centre-back is the position I see myself being more established in.

"Hopefully I can keep performing well for my club and see where that takes me.

"Everyone wants to be on that plane (to Brazil), but there are quite a few games before that where people can go on to prove their worth."

Jones feels the next run of internationals - which will also see Denmark come to Wembley in March, after which Hodgson is set to make his provisional draft - are the perfect opportunity for players to lay down their marker.

"Every game is a massive game, you have got to perform and hopefully we can do that in the two games coming up," he said.

"Chile will be technically a good team, they will pass the ball well and present a good challenge for us. Germany have world-class players in their ranks so we will have our work cut out against them, but I am sure we will put on a good performance.

"There is a positive vibe among the camp, everyone is looking forwards to these games.

"We have done extremely well to qualify through two massive games last month, which we deserved.

"Hopefully now we will be able to put some performances on.

"We will just concentrate on what has got us here, and I am sure if we do that, then we will be just fine."

Jones feels the current squad - which trained at Arsenal's Hertfordshire base on Wednesday as a precaution after a virus was detected at the St George's Park national football centre in Burton-upon-Trent - has a good "vibe" as thoughts inevitably start to look towards the 2014 World Cup finals.

"We are a tight group, everyone gets on and we have a bit of banter," he said.

"It is realy important because we have a massive tournament coming up, so the closer we are as a group, the better we will be for that."

Jones added: "Whoever goes to the World Cup knows it will be a great tournament to be involved in. You dream of that as kids, playing at the World Cup.

"Hopefully whoever is on the plane will go and do their country proud."

Source: PA