Oxford United midfielder Dannie Bulman, one of the heroes in their return to the Football League, has gone out on loan to former club Crawley Town as part of a three-month loan deal, writes NICK FARRANT.

Boss Chris Wilder let the deal go ahead after the Blue Square Premier leaders made an approach for the former Wycombe man.

Bulman, whose contract expires at the end of ths season, has struggled to get back in the side this season following the emergence of Simon Heslop, Asa Hall and Josh Payne in United's midfield, and felt his chances of breaking into that trio were limited.

So he decided on a return to his old club and made his return debut in yesterday’s 1-0 victory at Rushden & Diamonds in the Blue Square Bet Premier. “They (Crawley) saw that he wasn’t playing, which obviously happens in football,” said Wilder.

“The situation is that he is 30 and he has done great for us.

“His attitude has been first-class, but we have gone a different route with the likes of Simon Heslop, Asa Hall, Josh Payne and Richie Baker in terms of the age of the squad at the moment.

“We are trying to build something here and with younger players you have to give them time.

“This season Dannie played in a deeper role and he did a job for us, but he can see how good the youngsters are going to be and the only way you can do that is by giving them games.

“Dannie is a fantastic lad and about a month ago we came to a decision that reserve team football is no good for him at his age.

“He has been great, but we are moving in a different direction.

“We’ve got to give the Heslops, Bakers, Halls and Paynes the opportunity to play, but we have to be patient. Dannie knows the situation and it was no problem for him.

“He’s a great player and has done great, but I think sometimes you can’t afford to have a massive squad.

“It’s up to him whether he stays at Crawley or not.”

Crawley boss Steve Evans said before yesterday’s game: “Dannie was a tremendous player for me and I am delighted he wanted to come back here.”