The prospect of first-team football was key to Luke O’Brien’s decision to turn down Oxford United in favour of non-league Gateshead.

The left back’s short-term deal with the U’s expired at the end of last season.

Although O’Brien was offered the chance to stay, United made it clear it would be as a squad player, rather than a first-team regular.

With a four-month old son in Yorkshire, the 24-year-old was also reluctant to continue spending most of his week living away from home.

Instead he signed a one-year deal with Conference Premier side Gateshead, whose assistant manager is ex-United striker David Rush.

O’Brien said: “When I was given the new contract I was told I wasn’t going to be first choice.

“I don’t want to be that far away from home if I wasn’t going to be in the team regularly.”

The former Bradford City trainee spent several months without a club before joining United in September, going on to make 18 appearances.

He said: “I’m so grateful to Oxford United for getting my playing career back on track.”