MALACHI Napa is back running with a ball at Oxford United, but head coach Karl Robinson believes it is unlikely the winger will play again until July.

The 20-year-old has been sidelined since August, following a broken leg sustained in the Carabao Cup tie with Peterborough United.

Progress has been steady, to the point where he is now able to start kicking a ball again.

LEAGUE ONE: Run-ins for Oxford United and the rest of the promotion contenders

Robinson though plans to tread carefully with Napa and barring an injury crisis at the end of the campaign, the plan is to reintroduce him gradually in the summer.

He said: "We always knew it would be pre-season before he would be doing anything. That’s not really changed.

"He’s back running with a ball – me and him had a little game of two-touch the other day which I won, so his leg must be nowhere near right.

"It’s great to see him out there. He’s an infectious character and is someone I’ve got a lot of time for.

"Hopefully he can get back to the levels he was at before he got injured, because he was starting to make inroads to being in my selection.

Also read: Oxford United's impressive late goals record down to backroom staff – Matty Taylor

"This year would have been a big loan year for him probably and we would have been looking at this now being his pivotal summer to break into the first team.

"But everything is going to be delayed by 12 months now and you have to respect that."

Napa could soon be the only player unavailable for United.

Ben Woodburn is due to link up with the squad on Saturday, while club captain John Mousinho will be on the bus to Shrewsbury Town this weekend.

The defender will not play, but will be able to do additional work in his recovery from a knee injury with a view to being available against Milton Keynes Dons on March 14.

Robinson said: "Mous will travel with us at the weekend.

"It shows how close he is, when you take players with you it means they can do extra training on the Friday night and Saturday morning.

"Heis probably going to be fit for a week on Saturday we think."