JOHN Mousinho is set to stay on at Oxford United after triggering a clause in his contract.

The August 2017 deadline-day signing agreed a two-year deal which contained an extension if he clocked up a certain number of appearances.

Mousinho has played 68 games since, the majority of which as captain.

And the 32-year-old has confirmed that target has now been surpassed.

“There’s a clause in there,” he said.

“It’s not 100 per cent confirmed yet, we haven’t bothered with the paperwork and things like that yet.

“But if the club wants it and I want it then it’s there.

“We’ve got that relationship that we’ll just sort it out in the summer.

“I won’t be looking at any other options in January.”

Mousinho’s performances came in for some criticism last season, but a move back into a defensive midfield role – a position he played earlier in his career – in this campaign has been a revelation.

He covered the United captaincy when Curtis Nelson was injured last season and was the obvious choice when boss Karl Robinson looked to make a change in September.

Mousinho said: “I genuinely love being here and want to stay at Oxford. I will be here next year.

“From my point of view we had a tough season last year, but I’ve really enjoyed my time here and think the club is top-drawer and love all the lads as well.

“I’ll be honest and at this stage of my career I want to stay as long as possible.”

Robinson is delighted to keep the prolong the Brentford apprentice’s stay – and used the penultimate game of last season as an example of his influence.

He said: “Mous got a lot of criticism last year but he stood up and took a penalty against Rochdale which almost confirmed we were staying up.

“He’s a great man, when people get to know him he’s a top human being and I’ve got no qualms about him being around while I’m here.”

United are preparing for tomorrow’s visit to Doncaster Rovers, who have won four of their last five games to climb into Sky Bet League One’s play-off positions.

But Robinson’s side have lost just once in their last 15 games and will travel north in buoyant mood.

Mousinho said: “Going up to Doncaster I think the lads will relish it.

“From my position on the pitch where I have a relatively simple job you’re looking at the five players in front of me, I’m excited about watching them going up there and seeing what they can do.

“Going to places like Doncaster I hope will suit us quite well.

“They will try to play a lot of football, that’s how (Grant) McCann wants to play.

“They will have an attractive style and we have those ambitions as well.

“Playing against those sides I think will suit us better.”