Defender Jones is international class

JOSE Mourinho claims fit-again and in-form Manchester United defender Phil Jones could be back on track to regain his place in the England squad.

Jones made the last of his 20 senior international appearances as a late substitute at Wembley against France in November 2015 when the two sides helped honour the victims of the Paris terror attacks.

The 24-year-old 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 and Mourinho expressed his surprise at the central defender's rapid progress.

Mourinho, who insisted it was way too early to compare Jones to the likes of his defensive rock at Chelsea, John Terry, said: "I prefer to say that 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.

"And who knows? Be back to the national team, be a firm choice at Manchester United, because he's doing very well."

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Jones was recalled by Mourinho in the win at Swansea in early November due to Chris Smalling's absence and has started in six of United's subsequent seven matches.

"I'm surprised because even with me he had these injuries that stopped him for a long time," Mourinho told a press conference before tonight's Premier League game at Crystal Palace.

"But he was recovering first with people we trust in the medical department 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."

Mourinho will be without Armenian Henrikh Mkhitaryan at Palace after the midfielder was stretchered off with an ankle injury in Sunday's win against Tottenham.