• Premier League

United welcome back Smalling & Jones at Arsenal

ESPN staff
January 20, 2012
Phil Jones' versatility is a boost for Manchester United © Getty Images
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Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Friday that defensive duo Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are both fit for Manchester United's trip to Arsenal.

United's defence has been unsettled all season, with Rio Ferdinand, Smalling and Jones all picking up knocks, while Nemanja Vidic will miss the rest of the season.

Both Smalling and Jones were unavailable for the recent 3-0 win over Bolton, but Ferguson revealed they will travel to the Emirates. There was also good news for Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young, although neither appears to be fit in time for the weekend.

"We're a bit better in terms of injuries," Ferguson said during Friday's press conference. "Smalling and Jones will be fit, and Cleverley and Young have done some running, which is good.

"Anderson is still a bit a short - he got an injury in training last week.

"Tom and Ashley are doing a good running programme and their fitness levels are good. They have done a lot of work, he and Ashley. I am hopeful in 10 days' time he [Tom] will be playing football on the training side of it. That is the plan anyway, unless there is any recurrence. We can kick on then.

"It would be a great boost to have them both back - they're influential players. The way Cleverley started the season was phenomenal and he's been a loss. He's got something different from the others."

Asked for a prediction regarding Cleverley's return, Ferguson replied: "It depends how he does in the training, but his fitness levels should be fine. He could cope right away. If he does, you are talking about a week."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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