MICHEL Salgado believes Blackburn Rovers’ starlet Phil Jones has the potential to be even better than England and Chelsea centre half John Terry.

Rovers academy product Jones signed a five-year deal with the club earlier this week as a reward for his impressive first team breakthrough and Salgado insists he is a ‘rare talent'.

Salgado said: “I was not surprised by Jonesy because I got to know him when I first came here and he is a great centre back.

“I think probably, if he grows up, he is going to be the next John Terry. He is more comfortable on the ball though.

“He needs to learn to compete and I think he is in a great situation.

“The next season he will have more confidence, he will feel a real Blackburn Rovers player and this is important for him and for us.

“It is rare to have such a talent. He is a very important player in the side.

“He is playing like a top player and he has played 10 games and he has proved he is ready to play with us.”