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Holland Won’t Return to Oxford This Season

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Oxford United will be without Nathan Holland for the remainder of the season after his parent club West Ham United confirmed that his loan deal wouldn’t be extended.

The winger, who arrived from the Hammers in January, is still suffering from a torn hamstring he suffered in March and, as a result, both parties agreed there was too much risk for a return.

U’s boss Karl Robinson told the Oxford Mail: “Could he have played? Maybe a few minutes here or there, but it would mean him coming back sooner rather than later so there was a possibility of a recurrence, which would have been a catastrophe.

“From Oxford United’s standpoint we weren’t willing to take that risk and you can imagine West Ham certainly weren’t.”

Holland had an enjoyable loan spell with the club, scoring three times in 12 appearances for Robinson’s side. He also netted a last-minute equaliser against Newcastle United in the FA Cup fourth round replay which led to extra time.

With the decision how to end League One still undecided, or looks likely the U’s will finish in the playoffs. As a result, Holland is one transfer target that the U’s are hopeful of retaining next season, whichever division they are in.

Robinson added: “We don’t want anyone to think it’s about finances, we think from one thing we’ve done is built up an unbelievable relationship with some big Premier League clubs.

“I think the fact we’re putting the boy before our own short-term gain shows you how we look after young people.

“We’ve spoken to them about him coming back on loan and there have been some positive signs from everybody.

“That doesn’t mean it’s going to be the case, but their statement to us this week said about how their players get treated here is to be applauded and that’s something we take with tremendous pride.”

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