Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says Romelu Lukaku will probably return against Derby

The Belgian striker missed Monday's win at Everton with a head injury

Romelu Lukaku was stretchered off with a head injury against Southampton (Getty)

Romelu Lukaku could make his return for Manchester United in Friday’s FA Cup third round tie against Derby County, according to his manager Jose Mourinho.

Lukaku sat out of his side’s 2-0 win at Everton on New Year’s Day as a precaution after suffering a head injury in the goalless draw with Southampton two days earlier.

Though Mourinho did not know the severity of Lukaku’s problem at the time, he suggested in post-Southampton press conference that the Belgian would miss both his side’s next two fixtures at least.

However, after the win at Goodison Park, the United manager said Lukaku is in contention to play against Championship promotion contenders Derby on Friday.

“Romelu is not a problem,” Mourinho said, having seen Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard’s goals and Paul Pogba-inspired performance earn his side three points.

“Maybe Romelu can play [against Derby]. It was precaution by the doctor, it was following the rules to protect the situation but Romelu was in the dressing room, never lost memory, he knew what happened.

“He didn't come today to follow the protocol but he wanted to play. We had to stop him to play because he was saying: ‘I feel amazing, I should go and play,’ but to follow the protocol and also to protect the player, we decided not to play him. Probably Romelu is back [against Derby].”

Lukaku had played every minute of every Premier League game this season prior to the injury, which came in the opening stages of Saturday’s draw with Southampton after a clash of heads with defender Wesley Hoedt.