‘PHIL Jones is Superman’ has become one of Blackburn Rovers fans’ favourite chants this season – after the year he has had you couldn’t blame him for feeling indestructible.

In the space of 365 days, the 18-year-old Chorley lad has flown on to the first team scene, become a fans’ favourite and even been tipped as the future for England. Talk about a meteoric rise.

Just over a year ago Jones was man of the match in his debut in Rovers’ Carling Cup win at Nottingham Forest and life has never been the same since.

But, ahead of this afternoon’s Premier League trip to Blackpool, Jones is taking nothing for granted as he just relishes continuing his football education.

Eyebrows have been raised in some quarters at Sam Allardyce’s decision to push him into midfield this season but, while Jones expects to return ‘home’ to defence in the long term, you won’t find him complaining.

He said: “I think it is all part of my education.

“I am a centre back by trade and have grown up playing there and expect to go back to play there one day.

“Eventually I think I will end up as a centre half.

“I started out as a centre half at under 16 level and have played there ever since.

“This year I am playing in centre midfield, am starting every game and I can’t ask for any more than that.

“But playing in midfield can only help me become a better player.

“Of course it has to help you learn the game. It is a lot quicker in midfield and obviously as a centre back you can see everything going on in front of you. It can only help me progress.

“It is a lot quicker in midfield and you have to be more aware of everything going on around you. Once I go back to centre back, which I did against Norwich, and I found it much easier.

“Because I had become used to playing in midfield where it was a lot quicker and in defence you have more time on the ball and see everything in front of you.

“It can only help me progress. It wasn’t a major surprise because I played there against Athens and Rangers in pre season, I kind of knew the manager had an idea he wanted me in midfield.”

Jones was something of an unknown quantity when he was handed a surprise debut at the City Ground but he more than took his chance with a defensive display that left even Allardyce surprised.

He was made to wait for his Premier League breakthrough but a run of league games towards the end of last season saw him impress against the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Now this time round he has been an ever present in Rovers’ league campaign, albeit in central midfield, and is determined to keep up his high standards in his footballing journey.

“A year ago I would have taken anything,” he said. “It has been a long, hard slog since I have progressed from the academy. It has been something I have really enjoyed and want more of.

“I am still young, I am still learning the game and there will be times when I have a slump in form or confidence. But it is how I deal with it and recover from it.

“Everything seems to be going well so far though so long may it continue. Coming so far in a year has been a bit of a surprise for me but I have really enjoyed it. I have to be mentally strong and prepare myself for games.

“There is a lot of quality in the Premier League, it is the best league in the world and I love playing here.”

The boyhood Rovers fan knows the importance of this afternoon’s Lancashire derby as Sam Allardyce’s men look to end a four-match winless run at Bloomfield Road.

Jones is confident Rovers are on the right track though, but admits their recent habit of throwing away leads can’t continue.

He said: “We have been a bit unfortunately so far this season. The gaffer keeps telling us we have been leading through most of our games and throwing points away. It is something we must improve on and we must start on Saturday against Blackpool.

It is a massive three pointer and it is one we must win.

“I have a lot of mates who are Preston fans as well and, with their rivalry with Blackpool, they will be cheering us on so hopefully I can do them a favour.”