Cardiff City is striker Jay Bothroyd's eighth club in a nomadic career

Dave Jones has called on Fabio Capello to consider an England call for Cardiff City's Jay Bothroyd as the England boss searches for a forward targetman.

Capello wants a physical link-up player to bring the best out of Wayne Rooney.

And Bluebirds boss Jones insists his former England under-21 striker is "worth a look" after his eighth goal this term for Championship Cardiff.

"He is good enough if he puts in the shift he did against Bristol City," Jones told BBC Sport.

The 28-year-old inspired Cardiff to turn around a two-goal deficit to bottom club Bristol City and secure a 3-2 win in a thrilling Severnside derby that consolidated their position in the Championship's automatic promotion spots.

Bothroyd is among the top-scorers in the Championship but the eight-goal striker's all-round link-up play is crucial to Cardiff's Premier League promotion push and makes him one of the most influential strikers outside the top-flight.

The Arsenal academy graduate, who scored one in his only England under-21 cap against Mexico, has settled at his eighth club after a nomadic start to his career which took him to Italian side Perugia.

My short-term goal is to be playing Premier League football but it is every boy's dream to play for their country as there is no higher stage than that Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd

Jones hailed his "magnificent" impact at the Welsh club and believes Capello should run the rule over Bothroyd as the Italian looks for a physical targetman to be the fulcrum of England's attacks.

Capello called up Bolton Wanderers veteran Kevin Davies for their recent Euro 2012 qualifier with Montenegro as the England manager tries to fill the void left by Emile Heskey's international retirement.

Tottenham Hotspur pair Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch and Sunderland striker Darren Bent are Capello's main striking options alongside Manchester United superstar Rooney.

While Davies, Gabriel Agbonlahor of Aston Villa, Newcastle United's Andy Carroll and Fulham's Bobby Zamora - when fit - are also in the forefront of Capello's mind.

But Jones has recommended Capello take a trip to south Wales as he seeks to solve his frontman dilemma before England's next Euro 2012 qualifier - ironically set to be in Cardiff against Wales.

"He was superb against Bristol City," said Jones about Bothroyd.

"If continues to play like that, then when you're looking around for a centre-forward for England, he is good enough if he puts in the shift he did today. He is certainly worth a look at.

"If you're looking for someone who, around the box, has a great touch, great pace and can go past people then it might just be the boost the big man needs - and he was magnificent today."

Bothroyd's 12th minute strike when Bristol City were already 2-0 up was crucial and his link-up play is well-regarded in the Championship.

Cardiff certainly missed his talismanic presence and silky touches in their Championship play-off final defeat to Blackpool last season after he was forced off early on due to a hamstring injury.

And Bothroyd, signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a bargain £350,000 by Jones in August 2008, is enjoying his most prolific season in front of goal as he has scored eight goals in 12 games in all competitions this campaign.

"I've seen what Dave said about me and the boys have been teasing me," joked Bothroyd, linked to Premier League club Birmingham City in the summer.

"But the fact the manager has said that shows his belief in me as it is an amazing compliment. But all I can do is keep playing well for my club and I'm enjoying my football.

"My short-term goal is to be playing Premier League football but it is every boy's dream to play for their country as there is no higher stage than that.

"But I must take it one step at a time. We're in the Championship at the moment and we have an important season ahead of us so we'll see what happens in the future."

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