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Follow Jones' lead, says Jewell

Fri 04 Apr, 09:30 AM


Paul Jewell has called on the rest of his Derby squad to follow the example of David Jones as he formulates his plans for next season.The Rams were formally consigned to the Championship last weekend - the earliest any team has ever been relegated from the top flight - meaning Jewell must use the rest of the season to determine which of his players could help them bounce straight back up.

Jones, who was a key figure in the promotion to the Premier League after joining the Pride Park side from Manchester United, found himself out of the team and on the treatment table when Jewell took over from Billy Davies.

But former Wigan manager Jewell is pleased with the attitude and application shown by the midfielder since he was given the chance to play for his place in the squad and wants the remainder of the squad to emulate the 23-year-old's efforts.

"When I first came to the club, David was not in the team," Jewell told the Derby Evening Telegraph.

"He was training with a groin injury and he ended up having a double hernia op and that kept him out.

"In fairness to him, since he has got into the team, he's done well.

"At the moment, he is saying to me 'I want to be here', and that's what I am looking for from the players."

Jones had become a peripheral figure under Davies but has now started four games out of the last five, scoring as a substitute against Chelsea in the other.

"He played really well against Manchester United," added Jewell.

"He did not have his best game, like the rest of the team, in the first half at Middlesbrough but, playing out of the position against Fulham, he still had three or four shots and was involved in a lot of good things."

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