Jones injury blow for United
Phil Jones faces a spell on the sidelines due to injury
Manchester United defender Phil Jones faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Jones suffered the injury in training earlier this week and was sent for a scan which has confirmed he requires an extensive period of rehabilitation.
A statement issued by the club read: "Phil Jones has had surgery on a knee meniscus tear sustained in training that will require six to eight weeks' rehabilitation."
It is desperate news for the 20-year-old, who is yet to make an appearance this season.
After an extensive break following Euro 2012, Jones suffered a back injury that prevented him playing any part in pre-season.
He missed United's opening three Barclays Premier League games and the start of England's World Cup qualifying campaign, but Jones' return to training was supposed to be the prelude to his comeback.
Instead, Jones is sidelined until November. It means he will miss England's next two qualifiers against San Marino and Poland next month.
More importantly for United though, he is ruled out of a succession of key league fixtures, including matches against Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
In addition, he will miss at least the Red Devils' opening three Champions League group matches.
Even when he has recovered, Jones' lack of match fitness may prove a significant problem in regaining the form which at one stage saw him compared to Duncan Edwards during an exceptionally encouraging debut campaign following his big-money move from Blackburn in 2011.
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Bad news for United, Jones was a great addition to the defence, can cover for Rafael, Rio and Vidic as well as play in midfield. Still only 20 which sometimes shows in reckless challenges, but time is on his side to develop as a player. I'm sure all United fans wish him a complete recovery, we need him.
I wish him well. and a speedy recovery. Will be a regular in England's squad .... providing Roy uses his FA agreement and carries on like Capello and a independent medicals when Fergie - or Wenger and co start their shenanigans of pulling players out for the Wed / Thursday games and making remarkable improvements on the Saturday.
He's a proper professional though and I'm sure he'll deal with it. As a City supporter knowing your main opponent's squad is weaker than they'd like can be comforting, but as a football supporter its always bad . If he and Cleverley and Wilshere had been available for the Euros we may have got further than we did.
