MICHAEL Appleton has not ruled out Jordan Graham returning on loan in the future.

The 20-year-old was recalled this week by parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers due to an injury crisis.

It means Graham, who had not started a senior game before arriving at the U’s, could make his Wolves debut in the Sky Bet Championship at Birmingham City tomorrow.

Appleton was sorry to see the talented winger leave early, but thinks the success of the loan could yet pave the way for another once the Wolves squad recovers.

He said: “The conversations I’ve had with Wolves have been very positive, but more importantly the talks with Graham have been as well.

“He loved the place and from what he’s saying he would love the opportunity to come back, if for whatever reason it wasn’t quite happening for him at Wolves.”

Speaking to Wolves' official website on his return, Graham was upbeat about his time at United.

He said: "I have really enjoyed it.

“It has been the first loan where I have played a few games, and I played six in total.

“It is always good to be part of a winning team as well which it was except for one weekend.

“That was a good feeling and it has been a good experience for me overall.

“The fans at Oxford seemed to take to me really well.

“I think they liked the way I tried to play, getting crosses in and shots off when I could.

“I was happy to stay on there as I was playing week-in week-out and enjoying it and I had obviously had the loan extended.

“But the bigger picture was always going to be to try and impress and then come back to Wolves and the gaffer felt this was the right time."

United are looking at what they can do to strengthen the squad before the loan window closes on November 25.

Striker Francois Zoko has been in on trial this week and Appleton said the club never stopped looking at the market.

As it stands, the U’s boss feels the back four may need cover.

He said: “The key is making sure that if we bring a player in, is he going to have the same impact Jordan did.

“I am mindful we are short defensively with Sam Long out for a few more weeks and Jake (Wright) struggling with his back.”