SAM Long is set to return to action for Oxford United after more than two and a half months on the sidelines.
The defender suffered an ankle injury inside the opening few minutes of United’s 2-0 win at Lincoln City on October 31, and has not played since.
Although his return marks positive news on the injury front, the U’s may have to wait a little longer for Stephan Negru, while Josh Murphy is now set to make his comeback from a calf problem later this month.
Providing an update on the trio on Thursday afternoon, United head coach Des Buckingham said: “Sam Long will return definitely, and Stephan is touch and go.
“He’s just trained today, he’s good, and we’ll see how he comes through, and it’s whether or not it’ll be too soon, or whether Tuesday is going to be better for him, and then Josh Murphy will be Bristol Rovers.”
Negru suffered a hamstring injury during the closing stages of United’s win at Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Trophy on December 5.
Murphy hasn’t played for the U’s since the defeat away to Northampton Town on December 23, when he was withdrawn at half-time.
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