Everton defender John Stones has said that he wants to challenge Phil Jagielka for a regular first-team place.
The 19-year-old made his first Premier League start in the 1-1 draw at Stoke City on New Year's Day alongside Antolin Alcaraz, in the absence of Jagielka and Sylvain Distin due to injury.
Stones has admitted that while Jagielka has been a big influence upon his career, he is ready to compete with the England international for his spot in the team.
"It's his desire to become the best he can," Stones told the Liverpool Echo.
"There's always little things that Jags will tell me or I see him doing in training that I pick up on - if it's positionally or even a pass I see him playing. Things like that. His experience is rubbing off on me and I can't thank him enough for that.
"I just need to take my chance now and embrace it. I want to give the manager a problem to choose his side when Jags is back fit. That's all I can do really."
Stones moved to Goodison Park from Barnsley in January 2013.
Steven Toplis
