Manchester United defender Phil Jones closing in on comeback from knee injury and could return to first-team squad next week
* Phil Jones sustained a knee injury in training earlier this month
* Manchester United defender was expected to be out for four weeks
* The 24-year-old has had a leg brace removed and is closing in on a return
* Jones has not played in a competitive fixtures since January
Phil Jones is hopeful of a return to training next week after having a leg brace removed.
The 24-year-old sustained a knee injury in training earlier this month and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho suggested he would miss four weeks.
There were fears that Jones had suffered another fitness setback but Sportsmail understands he could link back up with Mourinho's squad after the weekend.
Phil Jones is closing in on a return to the Manchester United squad after injury
The brace was fitted as a precaution following the incident and the defender remains optimistic that he will enjoy a injury-free period.
Jones has not played a competitive fixture since January and he was expected to be involved at Feyenoord as United kicked off their Europa League campaign.
The England international missed the second half of last season under Louis van Gaal after damaging an ankle at the start of the year.
He turned out for the Under 21s in April alongside Wayne Rooney and was given time to fully regain his fitness.
Mourinho had preferred Eric Bailly and Daley Blind in the central defensive positions during the opening weeks of this campaign and Stoke were a number of clubs who looked at Jones before the transfer window shut.
Code:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3809761/Manchester-United-defender-Phil-Jones-closing-comeback-knee-injury.html