Billy Jones insists he is keen to take advantage of West Brom¿s injuries to cement a regular place in the first-team.
West Brom right-back hoping for extended stay in the team
Billy Jones insists he is keen to take advantage of West Brom's injuries to cement a regular place in the first-team.
The summer signing from Preston made his first start for almost two months against Manchester City on Boxing Day.
But it was the first time the 24-year-old had played in his preferred position of right-back and he helped the side become the first team to keep a clean sheet against Roberto Mancini's side this season.
Jones had been playing at left-back in the absence of Nicky Shorey, while Steven Reid had been playing at right-back.
But Reid's latest injury has paved the way for the Crewe academy graduate to enjoy a run in the side and he is desperate to become a regular starter.
Strong squad
He told the
Express and Star: "My aim is to stay in the team but we've got a strong squad.
"Reidy (Stephen Reid) is injured at the moment, Gonzalo (Jara Reyes) has come back from loan and there is competition for places, which is always healthy within a club. It makes players play better and improves performances.
"I just hope I can play like I did on Boxing Day and maybe improve again on my performance and get some good team results.
"Being on the sidelines is frustrating but, if the players are doing well, there is no need to make changes."
West Brom are ninth in the Premier League as they approach the half way stage of the season and are on course to extend their stay in the top flight to a third successive campaign.
Roy Hodgson has spent almost a year at The Hawthorns and managed to ease to safety last season before achieving impressive results this term.
Most recently, they clinched wins at Blackburn and Newcastle and face Everton at home on New Year's Day in a game which could see them jump up to eighth.
But Jones admits the squad are primarily focused with avoiding the drop before looking further up the table.
40 points
He added: "As a team we just want to get to the 40-point mark as soon as we can and then see how we can do. Last season, the team got to the 40-point mark and then finished 11th.
"That's what we want to do this season.
"The gaffer has talked about how the squad is stronger and everyone gets on well and everyone is willing to work hard for each other.
"I think that was proved on Boxing Day, with all the graft the lads put in.
"If we can work like that as a team every week, individual brilliance up front and creativity in midfield will lead to us winning more games than we lose.
"It comes from being organised and we were very organised on Boxing Day."
