CRAIG Short is confident Jamie Hanson will be an asset to Oxford United when fully-fit.

The midfielder has had a wretched time with injuries over the last 15 months, making just four appearances since September 2019.

But the 25-year-old has recovered from his latest setback and is set to start against Forest Green Rovers in the Papa John's Trophy tonight.

Jamie Hanson: This season is crucial for my Oxford United career

Hanson joined United from Derby County in August 2018, with Short making the same switch two years later.

United's first team coach watched the former England Under 20 international come through the ranks at the Championship club and believes he will come good.

He said: “I’ve seen Jamie at his best and he can certainly handle League One and higher.

“He’s played in front of 30,000 in big games in the Championship, at a club with lots of expectation.

“He was well thought-of and just never got himself a regular place.

“I’m very confident that when you get Jamie Hanson fully-fit, playing regularly, it will be a real positive for the club.”

Hanson played for Derby's first team 35 times and added another 41 games in his first season at United in 2018/19.

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But recurring injuries have stopped him putting together a run of appearances, with his only outing this season as a substitute against Bristol Rovers in this competition.

Short knows this will have taken its toll mentally on Hanson, but insists he has the physical attributes to bounce back.

He said: "Confidence is a huge thing for any footballer.

"You move to a club and want to prove yourself to your teammates.

"You’re trying to win them over, as well as the fans and the manager who has already invested in you.

"Once you have a little dip in confidence as a player it’s hard to get it back.

"Jamie’s got all the tools – he’s one of the quickest over a short distance, he’s very aggressive, got a great spring.

"He just has to find that consistency which I know he’s capable of.”