OXFORD United have signed highly-rated goalkeeper George Long on loan from Sheffield United until January.

The 20-year-old will compete with Max Crocombe for a starting place while U’s No 1 Ryan Clarke recovers from foot surgery.

Despite his age, Long arrives with a promising CV which includes 75 appearances for the Blades in the last two seasons.

It includes a 3-0 win in an FA Cup third round at the Kassam Stadium in January 2013.

He has also been a regular in England squads from under 16 upwards and last season was selected several times by Gareth Southgate for the under 21 squad.

U’s head coach Michael Appleton said: "George is very highly-rated and has been part of the England set-up so we are very excited to have him here.

"He is tall, he communicates well and likes to command his box.

“We need competition for every place in the side and with Ryan Clarke still on crutches we now have two good young keepers in George and Max Crocombe who will push each other all the way.”

It was initially hoped Clarke would only miss the opening month of the season, but Appleton admitted this week the 32-year-old could be out of action until late November.

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