Oxford United boss Chris Wilder wants to re-sign left-footed defender Steven Kinniburgh this summer.

He has already sounded out the 20-year-old, who was on loan to the U’s from Rangers for the first four months of last season.

Kinniburgh impressed during his stay at the Kassam Stadium, scoring once in his 14 league and FA Cup appearances, before having to return early to Scotland on December 4 after picking up a knee injury.

It’s understood the defender has fully recovered from that injury and is keen to link up again with Oxford.

If he does return, Kinniburgh would provide strong competition for Anthony Tonkin now that Kevin Sandwith has left the club.

The Glasgow-born player, who is very comfortable on the ball, can also play in midfield.

Kinniburgh came to United along with fellow loan defender Ross Perry after impressing United’s coaching staff when playing in a pre-season friendly against Oxford United for a Rangers XI last summer.

He played a big part in the storming start United made last season, when they won nine and drew two of the first 11 matches of the campaign – albeit he arrived six games into the campaign.

Those wins included a 3-1 victory over Crawley Town at the Kassam Stadium, when Kinniburgh scored the second goal.

The left back, who will be 21 next month, also collected two red cards during his four-month stay, getting sent off in the 1-0 win at Wrexham, and in the 3-1 defeat at Kidderminster.

United’s manager, understandably reluctant to talk in detail about any prospective signing until he has got him, did however confirm: “We’d like to bring Stevie back. He did very well for us before.”

Kinniburgh signed a two-year deal at Ibrox in 2008, but did not get close to a first-team place in the star-studded line-up at Ibrox, where he was given squad No 46.