Oxford United defender Sam Long will be sidelined for several weeks after being forced off with an ankle injury in the victory against Lincoln City.

The U’s lost the defender to injury just eight minutes into the clash following a challenge on Lincoln forward Jack Vale.

He received immediate treatment but could play no further part in the game and left the pitch on crutches.

United boss Liam Manning has confirmed there has been no fracture but the 28-year-old will be sidelined for a number of weeks.

Manning said: “It is positive news in terms of there being no fracture so that was good news.

“There is a bit of damage so he is going to be out for a little while.

“We are still in that process of he has just had a scan but we now need to see it settles to do a proper assessment.

“He is going to be out for a good few weeks. We are not going to see him for a considerable period of time.

“It is going to be a lot shorter than if had fractured it so that was good news.”