OXFORD United fear Shandon Baptiste could be ruled out until the new year with the dislocated shoulder he suffered on Saturday.

The midfielder, one of the U’s brightest sparks this season, was taken off following an innocuous-looking challenge in the goalless draw at Bristol Rovers.

Afterwards boss Karl Robinson revealed the 20-year-old’s right shoulder had needed to be put back in during training on Thursday, but today he confirmed it had taken place two days earlier.

While there were no issues in the two following training sessions leading up to the Rovers game, the concern lies in the fact it took 90 minutes for the shoulder to be put back in place on Saturday.

It is the same problem Baptiste suffered while in the United youth team and Robinson is concerned about a repeat diagnosis following his scan this afternoon.

He said: “The last time it was four months (out), but you just don’t know the severity of it right now.

“We’ll stay calm with it and wait to find out, but again it would be another massive loss to us.

“It’s a worry for him and us.

“He’s a great kid, he’s worked really hard and has been a revelation this year.

“Sometimes in poor results you’re looking for that spark and that bit of inspiration and I think he’s been the player this year.”

He added: “When it’s been a recurrence of another injury and then when it takes an hour and a half to put it back in, the medical staff said that’s a negative thing when it’s out for so long.”

Baptiste's setback is the latest in a United campaign plagued by injuries, coming just days after Jon Obika was ruled out for the season with a knee problem.