Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Randy Jones, who has yet to play this season with a hip injury, revealed after the skate that he has been medically cleared. Jones, a former Clarkson standout, could return as early as Tuesday night when the Flyers host the Colorado Avalanche.

Flyers head coach John Stevens said that he was not sure who he would take out of the lineup should Jones be ready to play.

"We're very happy with our six [defensemen], and that's the difficult decision we're going to have to make," said the head coach. "We think the guys that have been playing have really stepped up in the absence with some injuries.

"We're going to have to take a good player out when [Jones is] ready, but I think having healthy guys is going to be a good situation for us."

Jones understands the situation, saying, "They have some tough decisions, and that's up to them. When I'll play my first game, I don't know yet. I'll wait and see."

With a stretch of five games over eight days beginning on Tuesday, Stevens said he may ease Jones back into the lineup. It has been almost seven months since Jones saw any game action.

"If we're healthy, we have the luxury of maybe sticking him in but not keeping him in all of them," said Stevens. "I think that would be a lot to ask, to play that many games in one week coming back."

Stevens added that he will not dress seven defensemen for a game, opting to stick with four complete lines.