Phil Jones absent from Manchester United training

Manchester United defender Phil Jones is unlikely to be included in his side's squad for their crucial Champions League match against Real Madrid tomorrow due to his absence from training.

The England international, whom manager Sir Alex Ferguson recently claimed had an outside chance of being fit for the round-of-16 return leg at Old Trafford, has been struggling with an ankle injury.

Chances of Jones making the starting lineup have lessened dramatically due to the 21-year-old's absence from today's training session at Carrington, according to Sky Sports News.

Meanwhile, defender Rio Ferdinand, who missed United's 4-0 victory over Norwich City on Saturday, took part in training ahead of tomorrow's clash, which currently sits at 1-1 from the first leg at the Bernabeu.