Jagielka hopeful his international form will earn him place at back with Terry

Jagielka is scrapping it out with Michael Dawson, Gary Cahill and Joleon Lescott for the right to partner John Terry in central defence when England tackle Wales at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow.

The Everton player has started every game for his country this season for which he was fit, including the opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland, when his outstanding displays raised question marks over Terry’s international future.

However, the praise Jagielka has received masked what, for him in particular, has been a troubled time at Goodison Park.

That the 28-year-old has just signed a four-year contract extension proves he has no interest in moving elsewhere.

But a combination of niggling injuries and Everton’s inconsistent form has led Jagielka to conclude this has not been one of his better years.

“It has been a topsy-turvy season for the whole team at Everton and I would definitely put myself into that bracket as well,” he said.

“I am quite self-critical. I know when I have played well. I don’t need to pick up a paper to see what rating I have got, and I have family and friends around to tell me if I need to start livening up and putting in better performances.

“I have picked up a few niggling injuries along the way, which has been frustrating.

“I certainly would have liked to play better over the course of the season at Everton but I have done quite well when I have played for England which is a bit strange.”

England manager Fabio Capello had a chance to assess Jagielka’s form last weekend when he watched Everton’s home game with Fulham.

The problem is that only one vacancy exists, with Terry’s reinstatement as captain effectively sealing one half of the central defensive axis.

Not that Jagielka is complaining.

Indeed, the manner with which he endorses Terry leads to an inevitable thought that the weakest part of Jagielka’s game may be a lack of self-belief.

“John goes about his business the way he has always done,” said Jagielka. “He is the first to smash you in training. He is also the first to shake your hand and pick you up. He was probably gutted inside when he lost the armband but he never let that show. It does make me smile when you read there is this big divide in the camp. I can’t see anything.

“He is a nice guy. He speaks to everyone. He has no best friends or worst friends. I am delighted to have him as a captain.

“I have played with him a few times for England and hopefully I will get to play a few more but I am sure whoever the manager chooses will do a good job.”

Confirmation that Wales star Gareth Bale has been ruled out with a hamstring injury is a significant boost for England, who know only a victory will be enough to lift them above Montenegro and back to the top of Group G in the battle to reach Euro 2012.

Even though Wales have yet to register a point from their opening three games, Jagielka still views it as England’s most difficult away game of the campaign.

With the likes of Craig Bellamy agitating on the pitch, aided by 70,000 fans off it, Jagielka is expecting a torrid time.

“There will be some needle,” he said. “A few nations don’t particularly like England for whatever reason, so there will be a little bit of spice from the first whistle.

“I would regard it as our hardest away game. Wales are not as high up the rankings as people would expect but they still have some fantastic players, with a new manager trying to put his stamp on things.”

Midfielder Aaron Ramsey has been named as the new Wales captain by manager Gary Speed.

The match will coincidentally be Ramsey’s first for his country in 16 months after recovering from a badly broken leg.

Speed said: “I thought about it a lot. As I have mentioned before, it is about the future and planning ahead. There were two or three candidates.”

The vacancy arose after Bellamy asked not to be considered due to a long-term knee complaint which casts doubts over his fitness.