Over and out: Seaman is beaten by Ronaldinho

Jones is not worried either way. 'My knowledge and understanding of the game have improved a lot since I arrived at United,' he said. 'When you play for Manchester United  you are in the limelight and when you play for England you are in the limelight.

You have to be able to deal with that and I think I do. Hopefully my performances show I am good enough to be in the  England side.

'I think centre back is my more natural position. That is where I grew up playing. But I think I am more than adequate playing at right back and in central midfield as well. I played there as a kid too and I have played central midfield for Blackburn for a full season, so I know where to be.

'If I am asked to play and the manager picks me there then great. I am looking forward to it. Spain have fantastic players but they are only human. We'll see.'

There is not a hint of fear even though many of those players destroyed his new United colleagues on the same pitch only six months ago. 

'Nothing worries me,' said Jones. 'Obviously you get a few jitters before the game but that is natural. If I didn't get that you would be thinking something is wrong. But in general what have I got to worry about? I am playing football, I love what I am doing, I am competing against the best players in the Premier League, in the world. I don't fear this game. I have always been dedicated to what I am doing. That's just the person I am.'

So how do England stop Spain? 'We could sit here and talk for ever about how you do that,' he says. 'But I'd say we need to get in among them, around them, and really bite away. If we do that and play the way we can, we've got a good chance.'

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