OISIN Smyth has injured his hamstring just as he was about to leave Oxford United on loan, U’s boss Karl Robinson has said.

The 22-year-old midfielder has struggled for game time since joining United on deadline day in January.

Smyth signed from Northern Ireland side Dungannon Swifts, but has played just twice for the U’s since joining.

Robinson revealed Smyth was set to join a Vanarama National League side on loan, but his injury means that move won’t be going ahead.

“He was going out on loan and unfortunately did his hamstring,” Robinson said.

“He’s worked really hard and he’s devastated because he was going to get a month’s worth of football, and unfortunately that’s not going to be the case now.

“The club he was going to in the Conference was a decent club, one with history in the Football League, so it would’ve been a real positive one.

“We need to see him playing in England to get a reputation, to get a League Two loan for this season, so that he’s ready for the summer, to compete with us the following year.

“That’s the long-term plan for Oisin. That was always the plan for him, but with the injuries we’ve had, one or two situations have occurred to stall that.”