KYLE Edwards will remain at Oxford United to recover from his hamstring injury, despite his loan spell ending at the club.
The 25-year-old is one of two wingers to have had their loans cut short in one day at United, due to injury.
Stan Mills has returned to Everton following the injury he picked up late on during the Emirates FA Cup defeat away to Coventry City, while Edwards has been recalled by Ipswich Town.
READ ALSO: James Beadle recalled from loan spell at Oxford United
However, U’s head coach Des Buckingham has revealed that Edwards will stay with United while he recovers from his hamstring injury.
Buckingham said: “Kyle wasn’t expected to return until the start of April, with the new information we have on him.
“He will continue his rehab here at Oxford, and we’ll make sure we can work with him, to get him back where he was, and where he needs to be.
“He’s got a settled life down here now, Ipswich are happy with it, and he’s happy with the rehab team we have here, so it makes sense for him while he’s got his life moved here, for us to get him back where he wanted to.
“Ipswich were happy for that to happen, and so was he, and we’ll accommodate that because he got injured while he was here and we at least owe him that.”
The arrangement suggests Edwards may not have played his final game for United, with his contract at Portman Road expiring in the summer.
Edwards scored twice in four appearances for the U’s this season, before suffering the hamstring injury during training at the end of September.
He briefly returned for the games against Cheltenham Town and Bolton Wanderers at the end of November, but a recurrence of the hamstring problem has ruled him out of action since.
Mills meanwhile is to undergo surgery on a serious knee injury, with the Oxford Mail understanding the wide player has suffered a ruptured patella, which could rule him out for up to nine months.
He left the field at the Coventry Building Society Arena on a stretcher, after receiving several minutes of treatment on the pitch during stoppage time.
“It’s devastating for Stan, he’s a young player who’s done extremely well in his first loan move,” said Buckingham.
“I know Everton were extremely happy, as was he and his family, with what was going on here, and he was being looked after, and the minutes he was picking up.
“For any player to suffer that injury, especially towards the end of game and with nobody around you, it’s so disappointing for him.”
Mills scored once in 27 appearances during the first half of the season, and grabbed eight assists.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel