OXFORD United will not overload Kyle Edwards following his impressive second half display at Luton Town.
The winger came on at half-time for Owen Dale, and caused the Hatters all sorts of problems down the right-hand side.
Edwards picked out Ruben Rodrigues with a low cross for United’s equaliser at Kenilworth Road, and arguably should’ve won a penalty in the second half too.
His direct approach when taking on his marker endeared himself to the U’s faithful last season, but ultimately it was a campaign marred by a series of hamstring injuries.
READ ALSO: U’s boss has say on penalty calls and late red card
Edwards was handed a short-term deal until January at the beginning of September, and made his first appearance for almost 10 months when he played the final nine minutes of United’s defeat at Bristol City.
He then got 17 minutes from the bench in the goalless draw at home to Burnley on Saturday, and at Kenilworth Road, Edwards was a menace on the right-hand side, but the U’s will resist the temptation to overwork him following an excruciating time with injuries.
United head coach Des Buckingham said: “I wouldn’t have wanted to see him get fully fit and walk into another team because we’ve seen how good he is.
“It’s now important that we manage him. There’s a temptation to throw him in more because you’ve seen what he can do, but we want him to come back and stay in.
“It’s important we work with him, to build him and then work him, and manage him through games, whether it’s starting or coming off the bench, and if he does come off the bench, to what extent and what length.”
Two other players that caught the eye in particular last night were Leicester City loanee Ben Nelson at centre back, playing in his second game for the U’s, and midfielder Idris El Mizouni, who arguably had his best game in a United shirt since arriving in the summer.
Buckingham said of Nelson: “He’s a very good young centre back that’s played at this level. We worked extremely hard to convince him and his parent club to allow us to continue his development here.
“We’ve got a wonderful partnership with Ciaron [Brown] and Elliott [Moore], that’s been formed over the last 12 months.
“We’ve been working out times and when we can integrate him, and to add his quality. He’s had a good account of himself so far.”
On El Mizouni, Buckingham said: “He’s growing into this league very quickly. He’s spent a lot of time in different leagues and at different clubs, and he’s another one that’s thriving, but more importantly, he seems to be enjoying it, and he’s enjoying it within the structure we have.
“As long as he continues to do that, he’ll find himself playing a lot more.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel