Phil Jones says he and Chris Smalling are ready to step into central defensive roles for Manchester United this weekend.
England U21 teammates Phil Jones and Chris Smalling will deputise for the injured Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Monday.
The duo were excellent for England in the recent Under 21 tournament and the former Blackburn defender Jones feels confident the pair can reproduce the form they displayed for the Young Lions.
“We’ve done really well together with England and kept quite a few clean sheets – that will only help,” Jones told the club’s official website.
“We communicate well and read each other’s game, which is a good thing to have in a partnership at the back.”
On Vidic and Ferdinand, Jones added:
“They are brilliant defenders. I’ve always watched those two play together and tried to model my game on them and copy things they do.”
Submitted by Football Friends
