Exclusive – Warnock: ‘Jagielka should be England regular’

QPR manager Neil Warnock has hailed Phil Jagielka’s performance for England against Bulgaria, claiming he is good enough to become a regular for Fabio Capello’s side.

The Everton defender completed 90 minutes at Wembley on Friday night and now looks set to start against Switzerland on Tuesday in the second qualifying match.

Warnock, who managed Jagielka at Sheffield United, told talkSPORT: “I think it will be a question of who plays with Jagielka in the years to come. I thought he should have gone to the World Cup. I still don’t understand why he didn’t go. He’ll only get better, he'll be a regular.

"He was one of those kids you could play anywhere; he’d play right-back for me, centre midfield, centre-half. His best game probably was when he went in goal against Arsenal.

“Sometimes he gets a little bit casual and that’s why playing at the higher standard will eliminate those little moments where he sometimes takes a chance. I think he needs games now and, as with [Joe] Hart, this is the time to play them.

On Jagielka’s speed, Warnock added: “He’s worked on that. We worked on his strength in that department. His recovery is his best part. If you watch his timing he anticipates it. He very rarely gets done for pace because of his anticipation.

“I never used to think Bobby Moore was quick but he never got himself in a situation where he got exposed.”