Manchester United Defender Phil Jones Fit To Play Versus Everton

Manchester United defender Phil Jones has recovered from a hamstring injury and is back in first-team training in time for the tilt against the Toffees and Tim Howard on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Jones who has missed over two weeks with the strain he suffered from England's Euro 2016 qualifying victory over Switzerland, could be a temporary replacement for Wayne Rooney as Captain according to Telegraph. Following the injury, Jones was ruled out for up to a month and predicted to miss Manchester United's next four games, but he is back in the game earlier.

The injuries of Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans and the suspension of Tyler Blackett added to Manchester United's huge selection problems, but as Blackett returns back from suspension and Jones returns a week ahead of schedule, things are getting better for the team. Manchester United which is currently in the 7th place has a chance to bounce back in the line as the schedule gets tougher again.

Meanwhile, Manchester United is considering playing lucrative friendlies abroad to fill the midweek void due to its early Capital One Cup exit and the absence of European football this season. United was left with one midweek Premier League match before the season ends and going abroad, probably Middle East would allow the team to escape the English winter for a while. The recent addition of Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao has made the club more attractive for friendlies, according to The Guardian.

"That's something we continue to look at, as always making sure that the preparations we do on the pitch come first," United's managing director, Richard Arnold, said. "For many of our international tours, there is a plan to ensure we get that team building that goes together with getting the team all together in one place. That's something that's being looked at with regards to the future with Louis."

Manchester United manager, Louis van Gall claimed during the club's pre-season tour, the obligations to sponsors and the distances the club has to travel were not very positive preparation for the Premier League campaign.