OXFORD United are close to sealing an extension which will keep a new-look Liam Kelly on loan for the play-offs.

The midfielder is the last of the squad’s players on temporary deals to have his future decided.

And boss Karl Robinson admits he would love to turn it into a permanent move from Dutch giants Feyenoord after Kelly used the time in lockdown to sharpen up.

Read also: James Henry confident Oxford United will be fit and firing in time for League One play-offs

He said: “We are about to agree an extension.

“If I took a picture of him now people would ask who it was.

“He’s the Liam Kelly we saw at Reading.

“I’m desperate to keep him around the place if he keeps doing what he’s been doing. He’s some player.”

Kelly signed in January after admitting he struggled during a half season in the Netherlands where he only played twice.

Lacking match fitness, it was nearly a month before his debut.

An eye-catching free-kick against Newcastle United showed a flash of his talent, but he lasted just 20 minutes in his only U’s start to date before being forced off by an injury.

The 24-year-old has since worked hard to get in shape and Robinson hopes he will be an asset as they face Portsmouth in the Sky Bet League One semi-finals.