Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 9y

Jonny Evans set to make reserve comeback for Manchester United

Jonny Evans could hand Manchester United a rare defensive injury boost by making his comeback for the club's reserve team.

Evans, 26, suffered an ankle injury in September's 5-3 defeat at Leicester, but the club announced that he may feature against Blackburn in the Lancashire Senior Cup on Tuesday evening.

The Northern Ireland international has been out for two months and has only made four appearances this season, but returned to training after having a protective cast on his ankle removed.

Manager Louis van Gaal -- who said last week that Evans was likely to figure in the second-string game -- has not revealed if he expects the centre-back to return to contention for the first-team fixtures against Hull and Stoke.

However, Evans' return could alleviate United's defensive injury problems at a time when Phil Jones (shin splints) and Marcos Rojo (dislocated shoulder) are still out.

Right-back Rafael has confirmed that he has returned to training, but United are waiting to discover the extent of the ankle injury left-back Luke Shaw suffered in Saturday's 2-1 win at Arsenal.

United finished the match at the Emirates with midfielder Michael Carrick operating as an emergency central defender while Tyler Blackett -- who had begun in the back three -- was moved out to the left.

Blackett, Chris Smalling and Paddy McNair were the three centre-backs to start the game at Arsenal, but Van Gaal did not name a specialist defender on the bench.

Left-back Reece James, who could be an option if Shaw is ruled out, is another who may feature in the game against Blackburn.

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