Phil aims for a pa-fect trip

by DAVID WOODS

PHIL JONES says he’s ‘daddy cool’ about having to leave his wife and newborn baby.

The Manchester United star’s wife Kaya gave birth to baby girl Alaria nine days ago.

The England defender has been given some time to be at home following Thursday’s 2-0 warm-up win over Costa Rica, while he was also allowed to miss the Nigeria match so he could be at the birth.

But Jones jets off to Russia with the rest of the Three Lions squad on Tuesday and could be away for up to five weeks.

Jones (below) said: “My wife knows

– they all know – that this is what I do.

“This is what I enjoy doing and this is the biggest tournament in the world. I will manage it – I will be fine.

“Being a dad is great. Every morning it just gives you a different purpose in life.

“I know it sounds like a cliche, but you don’t realise that until it happens.

“She is great and my family will always come first, but we have got a big tournament to prepare for and my family know all about that.”

Aside from giving him time off for the birth, boss Gareth

Southgate also described Jones as England’s best defender.

Jones said: “It was nice when he said it, but football does not stand still and things move on.

‘‘Hopefully I can keep improving.”