? 'It has all happened so quickly,' says 19-year-old
? Defender impressed coach at U-21 European Championship
After only one season in the Premier League Phil Jones found himself to be worth �17m and a must-have signing by Manchester United. Now his meteoric rise will include a call-up to Fabio Capello's provisional England squad for the friendly with Holland.
Sir Alex Ferguson sees the 19-year-old as the successor to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at the heart of United's defence but the time scale may have to be drastically altered.
Jones may not make the final cut from a 30- to a 23-man squad for the game with Holland at Wembley next Wednesday but his performances for England at the recent Under-21 European Championship impressed Capello.
"It has all happened so quickly," Jones said. "I'm 19 and I did not expect so much to occur at such an early stage. I'm just riding the rollercoaster and enjoying everything. I did play every week at Blackburn and want to do the same at United but I am a realistic person. I know it is not going to happen with the quality of player we have here. Hopefully as I improve I will get an opportunity and will take it."
Jones has been used at right-back during United's pre-season tour and can also play at the base of midfield but is adamant centre-back is his best position.
Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott will almost certainly miss the Holland match due to injuries but Capello will sound out Ars�ne Wenger, their manager at Arsenal, before cutting his squad. England are also without Steven Gerrard, so David Beckham may feel a return could be on the cards but it is unlikely he will be called on despite solid performances for Los Angeles Galaxy.
Capello will almost certainly go for experience, though, having in mind next month's European Championship qualifiers against Bulgaria and Wales. The goalkeeper Robert Green and the striker Peter Crouch had hinted at ending their international careers at the end of last season but are included in the provisional squad.
Ben Foster, on loan at West Bromwich, has cited family reasons for not making himself available. He became disillusioned at joining up with England but not playing because Joe Hart is established as Capello's No1. "It's hard when you are away for 10 days or two weeks with England, especially when you have got kids two or three years old," he said." I almost feel as if I'm missing a part of them growing up.
"It's very hard to take and you feel you have lost two weeks of your life for nothing really. I'm a big family man."
Kyle Walker and Frank Lampard are again in the squad, and the striker Andy Carroll will be included provided Liverpool pass him fit.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/05/fabio-capello-phil-jones-england
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