Paul Jones has vowed to bounce back from his Old Trafford trauma to prove he is still a top stopper.

The Saints keeper knows better than anyone that he should have stopped Andy Cole's shot which slipped through his legs.

But he showed enormous character to play on strongly after the howler and could not be blamed for any of the other four goals, keeping the score down with two superb saves.

Despite the high profile error, he is still a quality keeper and is desperate to prove it at home to Coventry tomorrow night.

With extra-time and penalties to decide the Worthington League Cup tie on the night, Jones has a swift chance to regain his hero status if he retains his place.

He said: "In this game you are a hero one minute and a villain the next but I am big enough to take it and I will bounce back from this.

"The goal was a disaster. Of course it was my fault and I hold my hand up for it and accept the blame.

"I did not take my eye off it but went to scoop it up. I caught it in the rib cage and somehow it hit my backside and rolled over the line.

"But I am as confident as ever in my own ability. I am very proud to play in the Premier League and although I have had a few blips, I think I have given good value for money.

"I will recover from this - if I am selected. There is not much I can do about it if I am not."

Jones was dropped earlier in the season, ironically after a mistake at home to tomorrow's opponents Coventry. But he bounced back with three clean sheets in four games on his recall.

Tomorrow he hopes to get the nod over Neil Moss who is struggling after hurting a finger in training on Thursday.

Moss first picked up the injury six weeks ago but suffered a recurrence which left him unsure even about being on the bench at Old Trafford.

He said: "If Paul was injured I could probably play if I had to but it may not be worth risking. It is up to the manager to decide how he wants to play it."