Manchester United defender injured on international duty

Now that the domestic season's finished, the news that Phil Jones has a swollen ankle probably wouldn't even interest his mother. However, he is a Manchester United player and it offers us an excuse to talk about something other than transfers, so here we are.

The defender started England's Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia yesterday and had a Phil Jones moment in the run up to the hosts' opening goal, when he made a mess of a throw-in. However, it was an injury that led to him being replaced at halftime, with manager Roy Hodgson explaining:

"He was injured which is why he came off. He fell clearing a ball with Jack Wilshere, fell on Jack’s boot, and his ankle was swollen. He wanted to try and continue, but he couldn’t kick the ball."

Poor Roy clearly has never noticed that Phil Jones actually being able to kick the ball is usually something of a novelty anyway. Oh well.

If you're wondering, England went on to win the match 3-2, with Wayne Rooney scoring the winning goal at the death. Yay! Now back to the gossip columns we go ...