Oxford United midfielder Adam Chapman will be back at the club next week.

The 21-year-old has served 15 months of his 30-month prison sentence after being convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.

He will be released on Friday, September 2.

Chapman was jailed at Nottingham Crown Court in June 2010, after admitting causing the death of 77-year-old Tom Bryan.

His trial took place less than a month after he was named man-of-the-match when Oxford beat York 3-1 in Blue Square Premier play-off final at Wembley to regain their place in the Football League.

The former Sheffield United player broke down in tears at the final whistle.

United vowed at the time to stand by their midfielder, and extended his contract by a year until the summer of 2012 to ensure that he was an Oxford player on his release.

Chairman Kelvin Thomas says that the club have stayed in regular contact with Chapman and his family during his sentence, and that he will be return to the squad on his release.

“Adam is planning on coming back into the squad and we will evaluate that when he comes back in,” Thomas said.

“Chappy has done his time, kept his head down, like he said he would, and he has worked hard while he has been inside.

“It’s obviously a delicate situation, but we have supported Adam, and we will continue to do that.

“He is moving back to the area and it’s up to (manager) Chris (Wilder) what happens from there really.

“I know he has been doing a bit of training and he has been on day release for quite a few months now.”

Thomas went on to say that Chapman has already seen Oxford in action this season.

“He was at the Rotherham game when we played them on the first game of the season with his dad and I have seen him personally,” he said.

“We have had regular communication with his family.

“We are not going to make a big deal about it. Adam has done what he needed to do.

“He had his issues and he has taken care of those. He comes back into the fold, as it were.”

Mark Sennett, chairman of supporters’ group OxVox, hopes that the fans will get behind Chapman.

“Adam held his hands up, has served his time and taken his punishment,” he said. “I would hope the fans realise this and show him their support in what are obviously going to be difficult times for him.”