Man Utd hopeful Phil Jones could return before the end of the season following tests

Chris Smalling and Phil Jones pictured during England training

Manchester United defender Phil Jones could return to action before the end of the season, with tests on Tuesday suggesting the injury to his toe is not as bad as first feared.

Sky Sports News HQ understands that further tests are planned at United's Carrington training ground later this week to diagnose the full extent of his injury.

However, United are hopeful that the central defender will return to first team action before the season's conclusion.

Jones' toe was damaged in a training-ground tackle with United team-mate Chris Smalling while the pair were away with England last week. The injury kept him out of England's games against Germany and Lithuania.

Manchester United face nine games in April, starting with West Brom at Old Trafford on Saturday.

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