Tuesday 13 December 2016 23:40, UK
Jose Mourinho believes in-form Manchester United defender Phil Jones could regain his England place after impressing since his return to fitness.
The 24-year-old made the last of his 20 senior international appearances as a late substitute at Wembley against France in November 2015 in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.
Jones overcame a succession of injuries to return to United's starting line-up in November after a lengthy absence had led to questions about his future at Old Trafford.
Mourinho himself admitted he is pleasantly surprised at the progress the centre-back has made since he returned to the side.
"Jones is doing this season much better than in the previous two seasons and he's giving hope to everyone that he can be back to normality," Mourinho said ahead of United's game at Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
"And who knows? Be back to the national team, be a firm choice at Manchester United, because he's doing very well."
Jones was recalled by Mourinho for the win at Swansea in early November due to Chris Smalling's absence and has now started six of United's subsequent seven matches, forming a good understanding with Marcos Rojo.
"I'm surprised because even with me he had these injuries that stopped him for a long time," Mourinho added.
"But he was recovering first with people we trust in the medical department and then he was working really hard with one of my guys, Carlos Lalin, for around three weeks before he joined us and he had a big improvement in his physical condition.
"Now he looks fresh and sharp and fast, agile. I think he had a big evolution and I think he played seven matches.
"Seven matches from Jones, I don't remember when he last did that.
"So in a period with [Eric] Bailly and Smalling [out] when people could be scared, [Jones and Rojo] step up and both play so many matches already, without defeat, playing well and solid and I'm really happy for them."
Watch Gillette Soccer Special on SkySports.com for free, or tune in on Sky Sports 2 or SSNHQ from 7.30pm on Wednesday.
