Manchester United are 'optimistic' Phil Jones will be fit to feature against Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Phelan banking on teenager's speed of recovery
Manchester United are 'optimistic' defender Phil Jones will have recovered from his ankle injury in time for Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at fierce rivals Liverpool.
It did not look good for Jones when was stretchered out of the opening stages of United's 2-1 Premier League win at Arsenal on Sunday.
After the match,
Sir Alex Ferguson claimed the teenager would be sidelined for a few weeks, which would not just rule him out of this weekend's fixture, but also key matches with Chelsea and Liverpool, who United meet again in a fortnight.
However, the former Blackburn man's powers of recovery are evidently impressive, with United assistant manager Mike Phelan on Tuesday admitting Jones could feature at Anfield.
"Phil's character is very good," said Ferguson's No.2.
"He is disappointed that, over the last few weeks, he seems to have limped around the football field quite a bit.
Experience
"But he usually manages to recover, so we're optimistic he can do the same again."
United could certainly do with some good news on the injury front, as captain Nemanja Vidic and midfielder Darren Fletcher have already been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Tom Cleverley has featured just twice since September, Ashley Young has been out since the pre-Christmas trip to Fulham, Michael Owen is making slow progress from a thigh strain and Nani left Emirates Stadium with his foot in protective casing.
In addition, Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick are also injury doubts, while Rio Ferdinand is struggling to overcome a back complaint.
"We are not in the greatest state that we possibly could be in ahead of in the next four or five games," said Phelan.
"However, we can call on all our experience and resources we have at this football club. We'll have to do that in the coming weeks."
