The 26-year-old Perth-born shotstopper produced a man-of-the-match performance on his return for Boro on Saturday, keeping a clean sheet and earning struggling Middlesbrough a point with several top-drawer saves in a 0-0 draw with Blackburn.

The match was his first Premier League game since the opening day of the season after a finger injury halted his progress in August and Boro goalkeeping teammate Ross Turnbull stepped up to take the Aussie's place.

But after Turnbull made an error against Chelsea in the league last Wednesday, Boro boss Gareth Southgate opted to give Jones a chance following a strong performance by the Australian in the FA Cup a fortnight ago.

Jones delivered for Southgate, with a great performance in the league against Blackburn and now the Australian shot-stopper wants to retain his place in between the sticks for Middlesbrough.

Speaking to the official Middlesbrough website, Jones said: "Now I'm determined to keep myself there. What I don't want is another injury, so touch wood I'll be all right now!

"The manager decided to change it and obviously I'm delighted to be back in the frame."

The former Bayswater City junior added: "I'm not the best sub in the world, I'm a moody so and so at times, but Ross has done really well when he has come in.

"There is nothing personal between us, we're still good mates and we'll just both continue to do what we've been doing, which is pushing each other every day in training.

"Obviously we both want to play but there's only one position. He had a run and he's done very well indeed, he hasn't done himself any harm whatsoever."

Jones could get another opportunity to impress this Saturday, when Middlesbrough travel to Eastlands to face big-spending Manchester City in the Premier League.