Louis van Gaal: 'Phil Jones close to Manchester United return'

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has revealed that Phil Jones is on the verge of returning to the club's first team.

The England defender has been out for the last month with an ankle problem but could be back in the matchday squad for Sunday's trip to Chelsea.

"Jones is coming back," Van Gaal told the club website. "He has trained on Friday with the first team so that's good."

Van Gaal also confirmed that Bastian Schweinsteiger would again be absent for this weekend's match at Stamford Bridge and hinted that Luke Shaw could return from his serious knee injury at the end of the season.

"[Shaw] can play in the [Europa League] final, I have said that to him," Van Gaal added.

"That gives him spirit and a goal that he has to live for and it is not impossible, in my opinion it is not impossible."

United could close to within seven points of the top of the Premier League table should they beat Chelsea and Manchester City topple Leicester City in Saturday's early game.