Craig Nelthorpe returns to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday in his first away game on loan to Barrow from York.

The left winger, who is very skilful and, on his day, can deliver great crosses, was man-of-the-match on his Bluebirds debut last Saturday as they drew 2-2 at home to AFC Wimbledon.

He had a hand in both Barrow goals and almost won the match with a shot against a post.

Nelthorpe, who played 16 league games for Oxford United last season – which included 14 starts – is a lively character, but he has often found himself embroiled in controversy.

He was one of four York City players arrested following a disturbance in the city centre, hours after being sent off in a friendly defeat at AFC Halifax, a week before the start of the season.

And in the corresponding match between Oxford and Barrow at the Kassam Stadium last season, he was involved in an altercation with the visitors’ Nat Kerr, appearing to lash out with an elbow after having his shirt tugged.

That offence by Nelthorpe went unpunished, but United manager Chris Wilder didn’t ignore it, and withdrew the winger at half-time.

The U’s went on to win 3-0, avenging their defeat by the same score at Holker Street on the opening day of last season.

Kerr, booked following the scuffle in the first half, went on to get a second yellow card in the second half, yet the referee forgot he’d already booked him, and allowed him to stay on the pitch.

Nelthorpe is keen just to see how the month goes at Barrow, but it was he who asked to go on loan.

And this will be his one appearance back at Oxford. He is ineligible for Barrow’s return in the FA Cup through being cup-tied after coming on as a sub for York against Crewe in the last round.