Rover Jones has split loyalties

The United States international will be nothing more than an interested spectator when the German giants play host to the Red Devils in a crucial UEFA Champions League semi-final, first leg. He could, however, have been playing in the game, having spent the last four years on the books at the Bundesliga outfit. A difficult opening to the current campaign under former coach Felix Magath convinced him that he should try his luck elsewhere, and he completed a loan switch to Blackburn Rovers in January. The 29-year-old midfielder is enjoying his time at Ewood Park, but admits it is difficult not to think about what might have been. Jones told The Sun: "Sometimes I think about it - certainly when I watch games - I've a lot of friends in the team at Schalke. "When they phone and tell me things like, 'Yeah, we're flying to Inter Milan to play Champions League', it's normal for me to think, 'Ah hell, I could be playing in that'. "But I made my decision as things weren't good with the ex-coach. "I played four games for Schalke in this competition this season. "With one eye I look to Schalke and with the other I'm Blackburn. "I want Blackburn to stay up but I'd love for Schalke to win the Champions League too. I'm not sure if I'd get a medal, I hope so." Jones is uncertain what his future will hold, but admits he would be willing to return to Schalke over the summer and fight for a place under new boss Ralf Rangnick. He said: "I think everything is open. I've my contract for three years at Schalke. "I like Germany and to me it's important to play Champions League or Europa League but I've enjoyed my time here too."