Man United ace: I won't let Chelsea bad boy wind me up

Diego Costa is well known for his aggressive playing style

PHIL JONES will keep his cool should he come up against Diego Costa tomorrow night (7.45pm).

 

England travel to Alicante for their latest international friendly with both players expected to feature.

Costa is well known for his direct and aggressive playing style, that saw him receive a three-match ban earlier in the season following an FA charge of violent conduct in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Arsenal.

The Spaniard was at his playground antics once again at the weekend when he implied Stoke midfielder Ryan Shawcross had bad personal hygiene, by waving his hand in front of his nose

 

But Manchester United defender Jones insists he won't fall for any of Costa's tricks.

"I have had (players trying to wind me up) before and I will deal with it in my own way if I play," the 23-year-old said, as quoted by PA.

"When I was younger and growing up even in training if someone stuck one on me, even by accident, I would go after them.

 

Phil Jones says he will be able to deal with Costa tomorrow night

"But now I am more experienced. I am not going to go around kicking players. I am going to stick to my own game if I get the chance to play. I think it is just a progressive thing.

"I started playing at Blackburn at a young age so as I got moved on to Manchester United the more games you play the more understanding and awareness you have of the situation you are in.

"This is football. You have to be mentally strong and prepared going into the game and I don't think that will be something that we will be focusing on to a great extent."