Jones wants automatic qualification with U-21s
Published 19:45 02/09/10 By MirrorFootball
Blackburn defender Phil Jones is geared up for England’s crucial Under-21 match against Portugal in Barcelos tonight.
Stuart Pearce’s men need to beat both the Portuguese and Lithuania at Colchester on Tuesday to have a chance of pipping Greece to top spot in Group Nine.
They’d then qualify automatically for the finals in Denmark.
Jones, who made his U21 debut against Uzbekistan last month, said: “Playing for the Under-21s is a massive thing for me.
“Representing England is always at the back of your mind, but first and foremost you have to play well for your club. Anything from there is a bonus.
“We know we have to win these two big games, but we have a lot of quality.”
Watford keeper Scott Loach left the U21 party to join England’s senior squad yesterday following Scott Carson’s withdrawal.
