PHIL Jones is expecting a ‘hell of a battle for places’ at Ewood Park next season as he bids to prove last campaign’s senior breakthrough wasn’t a flash in the pan.

The Rovers starlet became the fans’ new darling after a string of impressive displays towards the end of last season.

And, as the big Premier League kick-off looms ever nearer, he is already being talked about as the ‘future’ for the English national side.

Jones, 18, flies off to Austria with most of Rovers’ squad this morning for an altitude training camp, desperate to build on his professional breakthrough but well aware he still has a few big hurdles standing in his way.

Skipper Ryan Nelsen excelled during New Zealand’s historic World Cup campaign and, with him and Chris Samba still expected to be the club’s first choice central defensive partnership, Jones is expecting another big fight on his hands.

Jones said: “It is not going to be easy for me now. No-one has said it is going to be easy.

"We have top quality players in my position and they show that every day in training and matches.

“I know I have to fight for my position but I look forward to that and it is something I relish.

"I watched all the games at the World Cup and Ryan Nelsen was fantastic.

"He is a top defender though and a good lad as well.

“Chris Samba and Ryan Nelsen are breaking records aren’t they for the money they were brought into the Premier League for?

"They are top quality defenders and very key players for us.

"Of course I have got a real job on my hands.

“Of course it is healthy competition though. I will keep training hard, keep working hard and whatever comes along I will take.

"Grant Hanley is another really good defender but competition is good all over at the moment.”

This time last season Jones wasn’t even involved in the first team’s pre-season and was still something of an unknown having progressed through the ranks at his boyhood club.

Now though he prepares for the season as an integral member of the first team squad, having signed a new five-year at the start of May and even being linked to the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal in some quarters.

For the moment though, Jones is just relishing the opportunity he has to forge a career with the club he supports as he continues to put in the hard yards ahead of the big kick off.

Jones said: “I have had a nice break. I have been away with England, have been away with the family and then a few friends.

"Everyone is working really hard in training already and looking really fit.

“I feel really fit and raring to go for the start of the season.

"Obviously we had a programme we had to stick to and it looks like everyone has stuck to it.

“It is different now than it was 12 months ago for me.

"It is a better position to be in for me and I am enjoying my time and looking forward to the start of the season.”