Rover Jones 'ready for senior service'

Allardyce puts Jones alongside Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere as being among those young players who have shown they have the talent to become senior international regulars by their displays in the Barclays Premier League and for England Under-21s.

Jones has been playing in central midfield for Rovers but in his more familiar centre-back spot for the Under-21s.

Allardyce said: “You are never too young if you are good enough.

“It’s a balancing act of when is the right time and when it’s beneficial for him to step up.

“At the moment only Fabio Capello and his team can make that judgment by watching him in the Premier League – which is in midfield for us where he has been outstanding this year – and for the Under-21s where he plays at centre-half.

“We all, myself included, think that central defence will be his natural position in the end.”