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Phil Jones joins up with England squad as positive recovery continues Phil Jones joins up with England squad as positive recovery continues
(about 4 hours later)
Phil Jones was fit enough to join up with England on Sunday, with the expectation being he will take his place on the plane for Monday's flight to the squad's Portugal training camp as his recovery from a shoulder injury continues to be positive.Phil Jones was fit enough to join up with England on Sunday, with the expectation being he will take his place on the plane for Monday's flight to the squad's Portugal training camp as his recovery from a shoulder injury continues to be positive.
England have a five-day stay in Vale de Lobo before returning home ahead of their first World Cup warm-up game, the friendly with Peru on 30 May at Wembley. England have a five-day stay in Vale de Lobo before returning home before their first World Cup warm-up game, the friendly with Peru on 30 May at Wembley.
When announcing the 23-man party – plus seven reserve players – for next month's finals in Brazil the manager, Roy Hodgson, admitted Jones was a concern due to an injury caused in a clash with Hull City's Maynor Figueroa in United's 3-1 win on 6 May. When announcing the 23-man party – plus seven reserves – for next month's finals in Brazil the manager, Roy Hodgson, admitted Jones was a concern due to an injury caused in a clash with Hull City's Maynor Figueroa in United's 3-1 win on 6 May.
Yet the 22-year-old continues to heal well, which is a boost for Hodgson who wants Jones to cover three positions: centre-back, defensive midfield and right-back. While he is not yet fully fit and will need to regain match-fitness before the tournament, with two further friendlies after Peru – against Ecuador on 4 June and Honduras, three days later – there is firm optimism Jones will be able to so. Yet the 22-year-old continues to heal well, which is a boost for Hodgson who wants Jones to cover three positions: centre-back, defensive midfield and right-back. While he is not yet fully fit and will need to regain match-fitness, with two further friendlies after Peru – against Ecuador on 4 June and Honduras, three days later – there is firm optimism Jones will be able to so.
Jones's now former captain, Nemanja Vidic, believes England can cause a surprise at Brazil 2014 by having a more successful tournament than is expected.Jones's now former captain, Nemanja Vidic, believes England can cause a surprise at Brazil 2014 by having a more successful tournament than is expected.
While England failed to progress beyond the last-16 of South Africa 2010 Vidic, who departs United in this close season, said: "If you ask me about England, I think they have more chance this year than last time. Maybe they have better players and I think the environment around the national team is better with lower expectations and this will help the players. I think there is not the same kind of pressure from the media and, as they don't expect too much, there is a chance to do something. I'm not saying they are going to win it but they could do well." While England failed to progress beyond the last-16 of South Africa 2010 Vidic said: "If you ask me about England, I think they have more chance this year than last time. Maybe they have better players and I think the environment around the national team is better with lower expectations and this will help the players. I think there is not the same kind of pressure from the media and, as they don't expect too much, there is a chance to do something. I'm not saying they are going to win it but they could do well."