Confidence no problem as Bothroyd gets England call

Jones also believes it would be disappointing if players like Bothroyd were overlooked because they play outside the Barclays Premier League.

Bothroyd has been named by Fabio Capello in the England squad to play France in a friendly on Wednesday.

"We're hoping he starts or he gets some part of the game because we do believe that he has earned it," said Jones.

"There are some good players down in the Championship and it would be a shame if they are overlooked because of the division they are playing in."

Although Bothroyd had been tipped to be in the squad there was no complacency from the Cardiff boss over his selection despite his player's confident attitude.

"Jay thinks he should be there anyway so that's not a problem," continued Jones.

"It's a lift for Jay, it's a lift for the whole club – myself and the staff.

"I don't think he was expecting it. We hoped it would happen because he has been in good form.

"He's not an out-and-out big target man. He can drift, he's got good ability, good pace."

Jones admitted that Bothroyd was not the easiest player to work with but revealed he had found out for himself about the player's character.

"Hard work. That's how I'd describe him," added Jones.

"He's what we call high maintenance. But he is a lovely lad, he wants to do well.

"Most footballers are high maintenance. Sometimes players get a reputation with other clubs. You only find out when you work with them and he is a genuine and honest player."

Andy Carroll's hopes of making his England debut against France are hanging in the balance after it was found the Newcastle striker is suffering from a minor groin injury.

Although Carroll joined up with Capello's squad at their Watford base last night, England were sufficiently concerned about him and Gabriel Agbonlahor to instantly bring in Carlton Cole as back-up.

As Agbonlahor subsequently withdrew with a knock collected in Aston Villa's draw with Manchester United on Saturday, it proved a wise decision on Capello's part.

However, it remains to be seen whether Carroll will be fit as he is due to train with England at Arsenal's London Colney complex this morning.

If the 21-year-old does come through, he is likely to be handed his debut at some stage, given the only other strikers at Capello's disposal are Cole, Peter Crouch and Bothroyd.

It is just part of the usual conundrum an England coach must face ahead of a mid-season friendly.

After naming a 23-man squad on Saturday night, Capello lost three players yesterday.

Agbonlahor maybe could have been predicted given he had a problem before heading south, but there was also bad news from the Chelsea camp as John Terry and Ashley Cole both pulled out.

Terry missed his side's 3-0 home defeat to Sunderland today after suffering a nerve problem in training that is leading to pain in a gluteal muscle and hamstring.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti said: "Terry trained yesterday but, at the end of the training session, he had pain on his nerve in his hamstring and we had the test this morning.

"He has had control of this problem. He never missed a training session but yesterday the pain was more, so he was not able to play.

"He's doing good prevention, good treatment. Everything will be okay for him."

The loss of Cole – one of England's few plus points in South Africa – with an unspecified problem, could mean Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs is handed his first senior start.

Bolton's Gary Cahill and Aston Villa full-back Stephen Warnock have been called in as replacements to join the four uncapped players who were selected yesterday; Carroll, Chris Smalling, Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson and Bothroyd.