SAM Long could make his Oxford United return within the next month after his hamstring injury turned out to be less severe than initially feared.

The right back pulled up in the second half of last Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Peterborough United and had a scan on Friday.

United were worried Long could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines, having injured the same hamstring at Bristol Rovers three weeks earlier.

But the scan revealed less damage than expected and head coach Karl Robinson hopes to have the 26-year-old back around Easter.

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He said: “We thought it might have been a really severe one, but it’s not as bad as we first thought.

"We don’t want to take any chances.

"We will keep him for a week longer than what it should, with it being the same hamstring.

"When you get injured, weakness sits within that area.”

Long had been an ever-present in Sky Bet League One before picking up the injury at Rovers, with Jamie Hanson and Anthony Forde filling in since then.

United still have six games before Easter, including tomorrow's derby at Swindon Town, but Robinson ruled out recalling youngster Kyran Lofthouse from his loan at Vanarama National League side Woking as cover.

He said: “He’s playing week-in, week-out and probably can’t go back again this season (if United recalled him).

"We have Fordey and Jamie Hanson that we know can cover in that position.”

United also hope Sam Winnall could make his return from an ankle problem before the end of March.

The striker was forced off at MK Dons nine days ago and Robinson put a timescale of 'two to three weeks' on the injury.