Midfielder Ryan Burge has been recalled by Doncaster Rovers, but Oxford United have not given up hope that he may be able to remain with them for the final three weeks of the campaign.

Oxford signed Burge until the end of the season, but the Championship club have a recall clause in his contract.

And it is understood that Rovers boss Sean O’Driscoll wants to assess this week all the players at his disposal.

That came after the Keepmoat Stadium club slipped deep into relegation danger in the Npower Championship with their 3-1 defeat at Hull last Saturday, coupled with Scunthorpe’s 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers at Crystal Palace.

O’Driscoll has effectively called for ‘all hands on deck’ ahead of their crunch game against Crystal Palace on Friday.

However, Burge was well down the pecking order at Doncaster before going out on loan, and if he is still not required by O’Driscoll, he may be able to come back to Oxford in time for Saturday’s home game against Chesterfield.

United manager Chris Wilder said: “Ryan has done well during his time here with us on loan and we’d be disappointed to see him go.

“I think Doncaster are recalling him because the manager wants to assess all his players. “But we are hopeful that he may be back with us. We’ve got a good relationship with Sean and his staff and will just have to wait and see.

“Understandably, they want him to play games, but they are in a worrying position after recent results.”

Burge has started five times for the U’s, after making his debut in the 2-1 win at home to Crewe on March 19.