KARL Robinson has raised the possibility of Oxford United having to cut Ricky Holmes' loan short next month over his ongoing fitness issues.

The 31-year-old was left out of today's 18-man matchday squad at Doncaster Rovers after going for another scan yesterday.

Holmes has been an influential player when fit this season, but has only just got back from two weeks away seeking alternative treatment.

United are attempting to finally get some clarity on the issue, but Robinson admitted if it was a long-term issue then they could activate a release clause in the forward's season-long deal from Sheffield United.

The head coach said: "We’re trying everything and he went for a scan yesterday to see one or two other things we can help with, but we’ve got a decision to make in the next few weeks.

"For his own welfare he can’t carry on doing what he’s doing.

"We’re having some really high-level people giving some advice on that situation.

"He came here fit - he had a bit of a problem last year and overcame it.

"It’s just something that’s materialised, something’s happened that we have to get to the bottom of.

"We need to get some sort of diagnosis on how long it’s going to be.

"If it’s three or four months then we’ve got a decision to make. We have a clause in the contract in January.

"If it’s a month or two, we want Ricky here.

"Everyone knows how much I think of Ricky. He’s someone I have so much respect for, as a person and a footballer.

"We’ll have to wait and see what materialises.

"It makes us weaker as a squad obviously because we don’t have that change we all want to make (from the bench).

"But on Tuesday he went through one-on-one with the goalkeeper and chose not to shoot. I knew right away there was something not right with him.

"He’s devastated, he really is. He loves this club and wanted to be here for a lot longer than the loan period was.

"He’s settled in and loves life down here."