Phil Jagielka has backed Everton colleague Leighton Baines to prove an able deputy for the injured Ashley Cole in England’s penultimate World Cup qualifier at home to Montenegro on Friday.
Chelsea defender Cole has been ruled out of the game due to a rib injury and could also miss England’s final Group H game at home to Poland next Tuesday.
It means manager Roy Hodgson will probably turn to Baines, who has excelled at left-back for Everton for several seasons but whose progress at international level has long been barred by the consistency of Cole.
Jagielka, however, has no doubts that his 28-year-old Goodison Park colleague is ready to prove his worth.
“Ashley Cole has done a fantastic job,” Jagielka said at England’s St George’s Park training base on Tuesday.
“If Leighton does get a chance to play, I’m sure he won’t let us down. He’s a fantastic defender and a fantastic attacking threat as well.”