Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce has revealed his concerns over young centre-back Phil Jones.
Allardyce believes Jones could suffer burnout if he is too involved in Rovers’ next Premier League campaign.
Jones made his first-team debut last season, catching the eye during his nine Premier League appearances.
Allardyce is confident Jones has a bright future ahead of him as long as he avoids niggling injuries.
"Phil is 18 and you have to take into account the delicate state of his body," said Allardyce. "He has not matured into an adult yet.
Riddled
"When you are playing in the top league in the world it can be a huge risk if he is overplayed.
"The perfect example is Michael Owen. Liverpool overplayed him at 18. All of a sudden he is riddled with hamstring injuries and despite only being 30 he is now struggling to recapture the form from when he was 21.
"We have to guard against that."
Jones is poised to make his England Under 21 debut next Tuesday against Uzbekistan, and Allardyce is prepared to manage the extra commitment as best he can.
He said: "I will manage the situation the best way I possibly can, which really would be for the rest of the team to play at their best so I can give Phil a little rest here and there.
"It won't happen in the Under 21s because Stuart Pearce will want him most games, which is understandable.
"I don't want to put too much pressure on him because he might take a dip from last season.
"If he does that we will take him to one side until he is ready to come back in. We will not destroy his confidence."
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