OXFORD United are reeling at the news Rob Hall could miss the rest of this season with his latest knee problem.

The 24-year-old has featured twice this season, but was sent to see a specialist this week after his right knee swelled up after a training session.

U's head coach Karl Robinson does not believe it is career-threatening and is hopeful the procedure will finally get to the bottom of the problem.

But it remains a huge loss for the squad to lose one of it's key players for so long.

He said: "We think it’s a minimum of six months and a maximum of nine.

"They’re going to have to drill back into the knee.

"It’s not great, it’s the worst news we could have possibly had, not that I expected anything else at the moment.

"This is when results take a backseat, this is a young man’s career and I’m gutted for him.

"He’s slightly more positive today because he’s got his head around the fact that this should sort it out properly.

"It’s a massive blow to the team, the fans and him."

Hall told United's website: "“It is so frustrating because I had worked so hard to get fit again.

"The good thing I guess is that we have diagnosed exactly what the problem is and know what needs to be done.

"It’s the right knee rather than the one which kept me out for a long time before, so I guess that is a positive and we are confident that if we follow the right procedures, if I stick to the schedule and work hard when I am able to, then I’ll be able to play injury free and truly show what I can do.

“The gaffer and the medical staff have been brilliant, it’s just one of those things and I know I will come back stronger from it.”