DES Buckingham has explained the decision to loan out summer signing Jack Currie, citing the ease with which Oxford United’s other left backs have stepped up to the second tier.

Currie made a deadline day switch to Sky Bet League One side Leyton Orient on a season-long loan, having signed for the U’s from AFC Wimbledon at the beginning of July.

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He failed to make a first team appearance for United, and asked about Currie’s loan exit, head coach Buckingham said: “That wasn’t the intention when he came in.

“We’ve got Greg Leigh and Joe Bennett, who have played pre-season and stepped up really well, so the worst thing you want to do is block pathways of our players.

“Jack will be a very important player to us at this club, and I don’t mean that long-term. I mean now and the medium-term.

“What I didn’t want to do was stifle his development in terms of game time, so whether it’s until January or not, getting him out and playing games at League One is a good level for him, rather than sitting here and continuing training, and maybe picking up the odd minute here and there in certain games.

“It wasn’t part of the plan, but when we look at having Joe step up and do well, and Greg has done the same, rather than stockpile left backs, it’s the best thing for his development, but with the absolute intention of bringing him back here to continue with us.”