MARCUS Browne is set to play in another behind closed doors friendly to build up his fitness, so that that the attacker can play his part in Oxford United’s run in.

Browne scored on his return to action on Tuesday, following more than a year out with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury suffered while at former club Middlesbrough, in January 2021.

During the match against Cardiff City under-23s, Browne looked sharp, seeing a free kick tipped on to the post and another shot pushed behind.

With 38 minutes on the clock, Browne scored with a first time shot from the edge of the box, which curled in off the bar – United’s fourth in a 6-1 win.

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U’s boss Karl Robinson said: “We’ve got another game planned for next week, obviously he’s done 45 [minutes].

“We’ll try him again with 60, 65, 70 next week, and then you’re almost saying he’s ready to go on the bench and have an impact on games, and then we can go from there. 

“We’re quite clear with the plan that we have for Marcus.”

Robinson also issued an update on the fitness of other players, including Billy Bodin and James Henry.

“Bodin has got a bit of a niggle to his calf and Jamo’s back in training, which is important to us, so we’re getting players back as well,” said Robinson.

“Browney and Jamo aren’t too far away from being fit for selection, which makes us an even better team.”