Everton youngster says he has learned a lot after training alongside experienced first-team stars

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Gethin Jones loved his taste of senior Toffees training this summer.

Young Everton defender Gethin Jones has told the Liverpool Echo that he believes training with experienced Premier League defenders Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams can only help his career prospects.

The 21-year-old has made just one first-team appearance for The Toffees, replacing fellow youngster Tyias Browning against Krasnodar in the Europa League in 2014, but was given the opportunity to train with the first team by new boss Ronald Koeman during a summer training camp.

And the Wales Under-21 international, who is entering the final year of his contract at Goodison Park, says watching the proven professionals in Everton’s ranks in person will improve his understanding of the game.

“You pick up things like being in the right position defensively and learning from top players like Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka (below), who are experienced in the Premier League, and bringing it to my own game,” Jones told the Liverpool Echo.

“Positioning is a massive thing in the game now and if you’re caught out by a split second you can concede a goal.”

Captaining Everton’s reserve side to a trio of youth tournament victories this summer, Jones’ ability to play anywhere across the back four as well as in midfield stands him in good stead if he is to make the long-awaited step up to the first-team this season.

He admitted to the Liverpool Echo earlier this year that he is using Seamus Coleman (below) as an example of how to bridge the gap between the academy to the starting XI, with the Republic of Ireland international cementing his place as the club’s first-choice right-back after arriving as an unknown from his homeland.