Oxford United club captain John Mousinho will travel with the squad this weekend when the U’s face Shrewsbury Town.
However, the 33-year-old is still out injured and won’t play a part at New Meadow, but the defender could return as early as March 14, when the U’s welcome MK Dons.
The defender, who has made 33 appearances for Karl Robinson’s side this season, has been out of action since picking up a knee injury during the U’s last defeat against Sunderland back in mid-February and was expected to be ruled out for up to two months.
Robinson told the Oxford Mail: “Mous will travel with us at the weekend.
“It shows how close he is, when you take players with you it means they can do extra training on the Friday night and Saturday morning.
“He is probably going to be fit for a week on Saturday we think.”
Mousinho will be joined on the team coach by Ben Woodburn, who could make his return after five months out on the sideline.
The 20-year-old broke a bone in his foot at Accrington back in October and although he was due back before the new year, the Liverpool loanee then broke a foot in his other foot before his return.
With both players back, it would just leave Malachi Napa as the U’s only injured player.
The 20-year-old, who was expected to spend the season away on loan, broke his leg as the U’s saw off Peterborough United in the first round of the Carabao Cup back in August, and won’t feature until pre-season.
