GEORGE Thorne has faith Karl Robinson will get the best out of him during Oxford United’s promotion push.

The midfielder is now back in the reckoning after successfully coming through his first league start for almost two years.

Thorne has had a rotten run with injuries, most recently a dislocated shoulder which wiped out most of his loan with United in the first half of the campaign.

But after successfully engineering an exit from Derby County in January, he rejoined Robinson’s side on a permanent deal until the end of the season.

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The 27-year-old has been managed carefully back to fitness – and having played 65 minutes against Accrington Stanley last week he dropped to the bench against Southend United four days later.

But Thorne is seen as a potential ace up the U’s sleeve as their promotion push heads into the final ten games.

And the former England Under 19 international is happy to go along with whatever Robinson wants.

“He’s been excellent with me,” Thorne said. “He trusts me and I trust him.

“I think he’s been very smart in allowing me a period since I got back from my shoulder to get up to speed and maintain fitness.

“He dips me in and out and I’ve been doing extra (sessions) to get as fit as I possibly can.

“The gaffer’s always said I will need you at some point, so make sure you’re ready.”

He added: “It was nice to get 65 minutes under me and I felt good, I felt I could have played longer.

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“I think training-wise I’m as fit as I could be, but there’s a whole different level when it comes to match sharpness.”

United are planning to schedule a behind-closed-doors game next week to aid the fitness of Thorne, Liam Kelly and Ben Woodburn.

The trio will add quality to a squad stretched by a hectic February, where they managed to get back into the top-six race.

With the injury problems now easing, Robinson will now be in a position where fit senior players will miss out on making the 18-man squads on a match day.

Thorne’s experience is seen as important and the midfielder knows the side’s chances of success rest on the collective.

He said: “I don’t really have any expectations.

“I’d like to play every game, but whatever the manager feels is best for the particular game (comes first). We’re all in this together.

“If you’re on the bench, get ready to support the lads on the field.

“If you’re not in the squad you’ve got to work harder in training, but everyone’s going to be needed.”