KEY POINTS:
Allan Jones is back and set to take Auckland City to Japan next week for Fifa's Club World Cup.
Left without a coach when City and Roger Wilkinson parted company a couple of weeks ago, Jones has answered the call.
After leading the club to successive New Zealand Football Champions, and to the big one in Japan, Jones quit to take up the national women's coaching role with New Zealand Soccer.
He was in China for a two-match tour with the senior women when Wilkinson and the club agreed to end their relationship. While there, he also severely injured his ankle.
At that time, City chairman Ivan Vuksich said he did not see Jones having a role in the tournament in Japan but later modified that stance, saying never say never.
Yesterday, with Jones agreeing to help out, Vuksich described the news as fantastic, adding it was one of the best possible solutions.
The only doubt now is in Jones getting a full medical clearance to fly with the team on Wednesday.
"Of course, I'm delighted to be involved again," said Jones, who will be at training with or without crutches tonight. "But going to Japan all depends on me getting a clearance to travel and that will not be my call."
Jones said his injury is improving by the day and had responded quickly to initial treatment.
"By last Thursday, I was feeling quite chipper but, on Friday, it was quite painful. They gave me a full scan and found an infection and I have been on an IV drip since. Thankfully, it is now clearing up and I can put some weight on it.
"I have to go back for a check first thing Monday morning and it could be all clear. If not, I might need an MRI scan on Monday night but, by Tuesday morning, I'll know one way or the other."
Jones will be at City's game with YoungHeart Manawatu at Kiwitea St on Sunday but but will leave assistant Craig Alexander, who also answered the come-back call, to deal with the technical area.
Vuksich said Jones' secondment was only until the end of the Fifa tournament.
* As expected, the NZS board yesterday granted YoungHeart Manawatu a three-year licence enabling them to compete in future football championships.
Earlier this year, the Palmerston North-based franchise were put on notice to smarten up their act, particularly off the field, or risk losing out.
Chief executive Graham Seatter acknowledged the work done by Manawatu chairman Mark Cleaver and his board in meeting the challenge. He said they were, without doubt, the strongest applicants and he was delighted with their reinstatement.
