OISIN Smyth has been on trial with a Sky Bet League Two club, with Oxford United head coach Karl Robinson hopeful the midfielder can secure a loan move in January.

Speaking at last night’s fans’ forum, Robinson was quizzed on Smyth’s lack of minutes at United.

The 22-year-old signed from Northern Ireland outfit Dungannon Swifts on deadline day in January, but has played just twice for the U’s.

In October, he injured his hamstring just as he was about to join a Vanarama National League side on loan.

READ AGAIN: Oisin Smyth picks up injury – just as he was about to seal loan move

Robinson compared Smyth to Mark Sykes, another midfielder who arrived from Northern Ireland, in the shape of Premiership side Glenavon.

“Oisin has been signed as an 18-month project, a little bit like Sykesy was,” said Robinson.

“We got a little bit of criticism for him being in and out, and in the wilderness.

“By the end of it, the process worked.

“Oisin is still not where you’d expect with Lewis Bate, Cameron Brannagan, Marcus McGuane and people like James Henry – where he sits right now is behind that group.

“Oisin is still in a development phase, he’s been on trial with a League Two club this week because nobody knows of him.

“He’s gone to a League Two club to see if they want him in January, and ideally that would be the perfect plan for him – to go to League Two for the rest of the season.”