Jones set for scans on back injury

Manchester United defender Phil Jones is reportedly set to undergo scans this week on his troublesome back injury.

Jones is a major doubt for United’s Premier League opener against Everton next Monday as the club struggle to diagnose the problem.

The 20-year-old was sent home from United’s pre-season tour of Norway for a period of rest and relaxation in the hope that the injury would settle down.

But Jones is still in discomfort and the club are now taking steps to get to the bottom of the problem.

It leaves Sir Alex Ferguson lacking central defensive options ahead of the start of the new season.

Nemanja Vidic is coming back from a long-term knee injury and is unlikely to feature against the Toffees, while Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling are out of action with ankle and foot injuries respectively.

Jones, who can also play at right-back or in midfield, signed for Manchester United from Blackburn last summer in a 16.5-million-pound deal and made 40 appearances in all competitions in his first season at Old Trafford.