SAM Allardyce has urged England to give Ewood Park hero Phil Jones a chance – after admitting Blackburn Rovers could have their own John Terry on their hands.

The 18-year-old centre-back was a colossus on his Premier League debut yesterday as El-Hadji Diouf’s 69th-minute header dented Chelsea's title hopes by earning Rovers a 1-1 draw with the star-studded Londoners.

Didier Drogba’s sixth-minute opener suggested an injury-hit Rovers were set for a hiding but, led by centre back Jones, Sam Allardyce’s men bravely battled back to edge closer to Premier League survival.

Jones, who was withdrawn from Rovers’ under 18s squad at Stamford Bridge tonight in the FA Youth Cup semi final second leg, was thrust into Premier League action for the first time due to injuries to Gael Givet and Ryan Nelsen.

He had already impressed in cup games this campaign but Allardyce insists yesterday’s display from the Chorley-born defender proves England’s youth selectors have to give him his chance.

Allardyce said: “We have said before he looks a little like John Terry in his body language and he had a great Premier League debut.

“We did recommend him to the England under 19s and they have taken some notice.

"We are telling them what a good player he was and he should be playing at that level for England.

“He has a long way to go to get to the standard of being a regular Premier League player though.

"He is on the right track by doing what he did today.

“It is nice when you see a player that excites you like that, particularly when you used to be a centre half like myself.”

Rovers struggled to cope with Chelsea’s pace and power in the opening exchanges but, after holding firm following Drogba’s opener, had a go at their visitors after the break.

Allardyce said: “The decision to play Phil comes easier when Ryan and Gael are injured but we have seen him play in the first team this year and do very, very well, particularly at Aston Villa in the FA Cup.

“Seeing a young lad from Chorley do that, a lot of credit to our academy.

"We all talk about how few players we develop and part of Blackburn’s success story will be developing people like Phil Jones and more of them.

“We have got Olsson and Hoilett, which is pretty good, and Phil is another coming through.

"I am pleased with the overall performance.

"We had a lot of injuries to cope with and people have come in and played their part and not weakened the side in any way.”