Pain game no issue for Jones

Phil Jones is happy to continue putting his body on the line for club and country if it will help make sure there are no more tears from schoolboys when they watch England at the World Cup next summer.

The versatile Manchester United 21-year-old could be given a chance to impress in his preferred centre-back position as England manager Roy Hodgson runs the rule over the national squad in the Wembley friendlies against Chile tomorrow and Germany on Tuesday.

Jones produced another dogged display when dropping back from a holding midfield role when Nemanja Vidic was injured against Arsenal on Sunday at Old Trafford, where United held out for a 1-0 win over the Barclays Premier League leaders.

The former Blackburn trainee was sporting a war wound from his tussle with France striker Olivier Giroud when he turned up for England training at the Gunners' Hertfordshire base yesterday.

It is a side of his game from which Jones draws great strength.

"I probably do get a few bumps and bruises, but that is just the way I play.

“I am not going to change that," added Jones, whose stray boot was responsible for a head wound to United and England team-mate Wayne Rooney in a training session earlier this season.

Jones will not be taking his World Cup dream lightly as he looks to make sure England’s young fans back home have plenty of reasons to party next summer.

"I always enjoyed watching the World Cup, and I remember going into primary school when we would get the drums out for the atmosphere because you have got to get into it, haven't you?" Jones said.

"I loved watching all the flags. Then, at Euro 2000, when we lost, I remember being in tears."

Jones insists the current generation do care about pulling on the Three Lions shirt.

"Playing for England is a huge honour. Any time you are picked for your country, it is a great feeling," he said.

"For me, it is still everything, and I think if you ask all the players, it will be the same."

n STEVEN Gerrard may be available for the friendly against Germany after he had a pain–killing injection in his hip.

Gerrard has been troubled by a hip niggle and misses tomorrow’s game against Chile.