Jones: It’s great to be back

TURK THAT ... Phil Jones tangles with Nordin Amrabat on Tuesday night

PHIL JONES finally put months of injury torment behind him with a trip to “hell” and back.

Jones had his first start of the season in Manchester United’s clash with Galatasaray on Tuesday.

The Turkish side’s infamous fans parade banners saying ‘Welcome to Hell’.

But playing in Istanbul was heaven for Jones, despite United’s 1-0 defeat.

Knee and back problems have left the defender kicking his heels on the sidelines.

Meanwhile. his team-mates have marched into the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Jones admitted: “I am delighted to get 90 minutes under my belt. I feel good.

“I am sick and tired of watching the lads on TV when I have been injured.

“They have travelled and I have stayed at home because I have been injured.

“It is great to be back. Hopefully I can stake a claim to get back into the team.”

Jones was a big hit in his first season at United, playing 41 games after boss Alex Ferguson paid Blackburn £16.5million to sign him.

But the defender is unhappy at how his impact tailed off in the latter stage of the campaign as
United were pipped to the title by bitter rivals Manchester City.

He said: “I was in and out of the team in the second half of the season.

“I couldn’t get a run of games because I was getting little niggles here and there.

“I couldn’t get match fit. I picked up some pretty horrid injuries.

“It has not been the best five or six months for me but I am delighted to be back now.
Hopefully now I can stake a claim for the team again.”

Jones, 20, had a decent first game back playing in the centre of defence on Tuesday and revelled in the deafening noise in the Turk Telekom Arena.

He said: “It was fantastic. The crowd and the atmosphere were phenomenal. It is the best I have ever played in.”

Jones’ versatility as a full-back, centre-back or in central midfield means Fergie will be delighted to have him back in his squad.

United keeper Anders Lindegaard believes Jones will now be a key figure in the coming months.

The Dane, 28, said: “Phil did well. He showed he’s on the way back and he’s an important player for us.”

But Lindegaard was not happy, at playing in back-to-back defeats after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Norwich.

Lindegaard said: “It’s very hard to find a positive side.

“We have an important game on Saturday against QPR and need to get right back on track.”