Phil Jones could make Man Utd return vs West Ham after 20-month injury absence

Phil Jones is in line to make his first Manchester United appearance in 20 months when they host West Ham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Jones last kicked a ball in anger for United's first-team all the way back in January 2020, an FA Cup third round tie against Tranmere Rovers during which he scored the fourth goal of sixth in a comfortable victory.

With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side safely into the fourth round, the defender decided to go under the knife to sort a knee problem that had been troubling him for several years.

It has led to long period out of the first-team for the 29-year-old, but that could be about to end under the lights at Old Trafford this evening.

Jones has been building his fitness, featuring in some behind closed doors matches and for the U23s, and Solskjaer has praised the centre-half for his professional during his near two-year ordeal.

"I’m so happy for Phil," Solskjaer told Manchester United’s official website.

"He has completed two 90 minutes for the Under-23s, played some minutes behind closed doors and he’s got no reaction on his knee. He’s been working really hard."

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The Red Devils boss knows exactly what it's like to be sidelined with a knee injury, having suffered from similar complaints during his own playing days.

"I’ve been part of that myself and had the best part of three years, or at least more than two out of three years, and I know what challenges he’s been through, mentally, thinking: ‘Will I ever play football again or even be able to walk again and be able to play with the kids in the garden.'

"He’s been so diligent and so professional; no frills, no social media and I’m old school. I like players like that. He just focuses on one thing and gets his head around the challenges and he’s back.

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"He will be in the squad. It’s a good day for him and for us, and it’s something that he has earned."

Jones has been named in the squad for Wednesday's Carabao Cup third round tie against West Ham.

He is one of several anticipated changes, with the likes of Eric Bailly, Diogo Dalot, Donny van de Beek, Jesse Lingard and Alex Telles also earmarked for game time at Old Trafford.

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