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Manchester United's Premier League title bid has suffered a major blow – with Phil Jones set to be missing in action for a month with shingles.

Manchester City keeper Joe Hart is refusing to concede the championship race, and Sir Alex Ferguson will be concerned to lose his versatile defender for a crucial chunk of the run-in.

The 20-year-old can play right-back, centre-back and even in midfield, but has missed much of the season with back and knee injuries.

But the Red Devils boss regards him as a key member of his squad as they try to wrestle back the title from rivals City – and the news is also bad for England boss Roy Hodgson’s plans.

Jones was due to be with the Under-21s this week, but was expected to be involved in next month’s double header of World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro with the senior team.

(Image: Getty)

The former Blackburn youngster’s setback was revealed yesterday when U21 chief Stuart Pearce said: “You want all your good players to be here and be part of it.

“But Jones picked up shingles and there’s not a lot we can do about it.

“It’s a shame because it makes us stronger when Phil’s here, that’s for sure. But it gives someone else a chance.”

The Blues may trail neighbours United by nine points at the Premier League summit, but they are refusing to give up hope.

Roberto Mancini’s men made up an eight point deficit with only six games left last season to be crowned champions.

And Hart admits it is win or bust for City at Southampton on Saturday.

But the Saints are no ­pushovers having lost just one of their last eight league games – including draws against Arsenal and Chelsea.

Hart insisted: “We can’t hide the facts. We’re nine points behind with 13 games to go, so we have to win at Southampton.

“We need to do what we have done in the last seven games before our draw against Liverpool on Sunday, when we won six and drew one. But we’ve had enough of the draws now.

“We will always be in it, but it’s a big gap right now – far too big for our liking. You have to move forward, and that means beating Southampton.”

The England No.1 also knows that Ferguson’s side will be brimming with ­confidence after opening up such a healthy lead.

But Hart vowed that City will continue to chase them in the hope of closing the gap before the two sides clash at Old Trafford on Saturday, April 6. The 25-year-old added: “The only time we can have an impact on them is when we play them at their place.

“They do what they do and I’m sure they have realised that if they play well, then they have a very good chance.

“But we still feel we can do this. That’s who we are, and that’s what we are. We’ve put ourselves in a worse position than we would like to be, but that’s football sometimes.”

(Image: Laurence Griffiths)

City’s predicament would have been even worse if striker Sergio Aguero had not conjured up a piece of sublime magic to equalise against Liverpool on Sunday from a near-impossible angle.

And Hart believes the Argentinian confirmed his greatness in that moment.

He said: “Sergio had to pull something out for us to get a result. He didn’t have any impact on the game whatsoever, but that’s what great players do – score the goals that count.”

Hart also rescued City by saving from old boy Daniel Sturridge in the dying seconds – a stop he hopes will prove vital come the end of the season.

He said: “I really do hope that save keeps us in the title race.

“Daniel put one past me in the first half, but you can only save what you can save.

“If it’s possible to save it, I like to think I’ll get to it and, hopefully, my save will help us.”

Oh Danny boy! Rooney backs Welbeck to get back on goal trail

(Image: Getty)

Wayne Rooney has backed off-colour team-mate Danny Welbeck to enjoy another purple patch soon.

Welbeck has managed more goals for England than Manchester United this season and he has scored just once in 27 appearances for the Reds.

The striker had bagged nine by this stage 12 months ago and has slipped to fourth in the forwards' pecking order at Old Trafford.

Rooney still believes in Welbeck and the pair are set to lead England's attack against Brazil tomorrow because of the injuries to Jermain Defoe and Daniel Sturridge.

Welbeck, 22, finished runner-up in the inaugural England Player of the Year award and Rooney claims he has not scored many goals because he has been played out of position.

Rooney says he had the same criticism levelled at him when he started out wide and is confident Welbeck will grab his chance when he returns to the middle.

"Everyone labels him as a striker, which I've had at times when I have played in different positions," said Rooney.

"Then someone says I haven't scored for eight games when I hadn't played up

front.

"Danny has been out wide a lot this season, but he still works hard and brings a lot of energy to the team.

"He's a great player and his time will come when he gets that run up front. Then I'm sure he will score goals."