Derby County boss Paul Jewell admits David Jones is playing his way into his plans for next season.

"When I first came to the club, David was not in the team," said Jewell. "He was training with a groin injury and he ended up having a double hernia op and that kept him out.

"In fairness to him, since he has got into the team, he's done well.

"He played really well against Manchester United. He did not have his best game, like the rest of the team, in the first half at Middlesbrough but, playing out of the position against Fulham, he still had three or four shots and was involved in a lot of good things.

"At the moment, he is saying to me 'I want to be here' and that's what I am looking for from the players."