It has been 707 days since Phil Jones last represented the Manchester United first team, but he is back in the squad once again as they host Wolves at Old Trafford on Monday evening.
Jones, still only 29, scored on his last appearance for the team almost two years ago as they breezed past Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup. It proved to be a fleeting moment of joy before he'd soon be sidelined by injury again.
The story of Jones is one familiar to United fans, and is relatable to supporters of different teams all across the world. Signed with huge potential and backed to be the future captain of the club, glimmers of promise were followed by inconsistency, before an injury-ravaged career reduced one of his generation's most exciting talents into a player now unfairly mocked at every opportunity.
Jones might be a shadow of the player who went to Euro 2012 with England at the age of just 20, but ten years on, he is still fighting to prove himself as he eyes an emotional return to football, which for a long time looked out of the question.
The experienced centre-back has suffered for most of his professional career with severe meniscal damage in his right knee, the same issue that left former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer out of action for three years as a player.
It is this understanding of such a harrowing setback, one which renders a fit and healthy young man unable to do the job he has dedicated his life towards, that gave Solskjaer so much sympathy for Jones, with public backing as he fought his way back to his current state of fitness.
While there is still an argument to suggest Jones should have left United a long time ago in order to pursue regular playing time, there can be no denying his commitment to getting back in contention for senior matchday involvement for United once again.
It is something which his former teammate and inspiration, Rio Ferdinand, misread, jumping on the social media mocking of Jones last year by harshly stating he was a "waste of time" who was "taking up a youth player’s position" in the first-team.
They were comments that riled former manager Solskjaer, who hit back at Ferdinand in his weekly press conference to defend the defender who has been ravaged by such a relatable injury.
Last summer, Solskjaer explained that "Phil has had a horrible 18, 19, 20 months and probably a year before that as well with injuries. I think Rio was a bit, not out of order. He should have called me and asked why Phil hasn't played or why Phil hasn't been here.
"Phil is a no-fuss, get-on-with-it type of guy, and I think that was out of order completely (of Ferdinand), I know more than anyone how it feels to be injured. Phil is still not 30 years of age. Since I came back here, he's battled against his knee injury and he put his body on the line every single training session, every single game, there are a few times we've had to manage him, and he's never done anything but give everything for the club."
For Jones, it has been further fuel to finally get back onto the pitch in a United shirt, even if it is only for one final appearance to silence his critics and complete a remarkable comeback journey.
He has made himself available for the U23s in order to get accustomed to the speed and tenacity of a professional match once again, though a potential return to first-team action would be an entirely different calibre of challenge for him.
Just last month, interim manager Ralf Rangnick admitted he was impressed by Jones' attitude in training since he arrived and revealed he would have given the Englishman his long-awaited appearance had he been eligible for the Champions League dead-rubber vs Young Boys.
The 29-year-old was not registered as part of United's European squad at the start of the season and was not eligible to be added to the B-List for the match.
"The problem is we can only play players who are in the Champions League list," the German coach stated. "For example, Phil Jones, whom I would love to give game-time on Wednesday after his long-term injury, unfortunately, he is not on the list, so we have to put our focus on players who will be allowed to play."
It is a different story for Jones in the Premier League, however, and he is back in the provisional matchday squad as they prepare to welcome Wolves to Old Trafford on Monday evening.
With Victor Lindelof recovering from Covid, Raphael Varane still not fully match fit, Eric Bailly due at the African Cup of Nations this week and Harry Maguire not spotted as part of the team which arrived at the hotel on Sunday night, there is a chance Jones could finally get his return after two years.
While his long-term future certainly isn't at United, and a January exit would still make sense, Jones would be deserving of a final Old Trafford outing, even if only for a minute.
After years of being fed to the Wolves, he deserves a chance to face them.
