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Youngster backed by Jags
Everton, 14:54, August 19, 2008 ,
Everton's versatile defender Phil Jagielka has backed youngster Jack Rodwell to step up to the plate and become a first team regular.
The 17-year-old was thrown into the deep end against Blackburn at the weekend because of a lack of first team personnel at Goodison Park but Jagielka believes he will come through and prove himself a first team regular.
"It's a steep learning for him, especially considering the situation we're in at the moment," Jagielka told the Daily Post.
"In an ideal world I wouldn't be playing in central midfield. We've had a couple of injuries, and we've had to deal with the situation we are in at the moment.
"So it was hard for Jack in the first half, but in the second half I thought he grew into the game. He found a lot more passes and looked more like the player we know he will become.
"We'll see if he will sink or swim, but I'm sure he will swim. He has fantastic ability and hopefully he can soon be on a few winning sides."