Last Updated: Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:39
Michael Carrick and Phil Jones have given Manchester United a possible injury headache after withdrawing from international duty.
Midfielder Carrick played the full 90 minutes of United's 1-0 Premier League win at Fulham on Saturday, but then pulled out of the England squad for Wednesday's friendly against Brazil at Wembley with the Football Association claiming a hip injury was the reason.
Jones, who missed the game at Craven Cottage, has also pulled out of the England Under-21 squad for Tuesday's match with Sweden.
The 20-year-old has been hampered by a knee problem for much of the season and his call-up came as a shock to United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Therefore his absence from Saturday's game could have been a method used by Ferguson to ensure he does not have to play for the young Three Lions this week as he bids to manage his fitness levels for the remainder of the campaign.
Ferguson will no doubt hope both players will recover over the course of this week and be available for selection when Everton visit Old Trafford next Sunday afternoon.
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