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U’s Midfielder Hoping to Return Before the end of the Season

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Oxford United winger Malachi Napa is hoping to make an unexpected return to action this season following the suspension of the League One season.

The 20-year-old, who broke his leg during the U’s 1-0 win over Peterborough United in the first round of the Carabao Cup in August, has been out of action all season and wasn’t expected to return until pre-season.

However, with the current postponement of all football due to the coronavirus, the midfielder is hoping to return at the back end of this current campaign.

He told the Oxford Mail: “It would be a lot of pressure, these are big make-or-break moments. It’s like a dream, you’re there to help the team to promotion.

“After that type of injury I wasn’t expecting myself to be back (this season), so if I get an opportunity it would be wicked.”

Despite looking like he would be sent out on loan for the season, Napa played a key part in pre-season training and was involved in games at the start of the campaign.

But the injury knocked him back, and rehabilitation has been some but steady as a result.

However, Napa is now hopeful of returning to training along with the rest of the squad once the current lockdown laws are relaxed.

He added: “I haven’t been told officially, but I’m doing everything they’re doing with the workouts.

“I’m also doing my little bits to keep myself active. I need to be on top of that, so I’ve been set a programme with my physio.

“It hasn’t been giving me any irritation, but it’s hard to say that for sure now because I haven’t been doing the same activities I was doing at the training ground.”

It remains unclear when Robinson’s side will return to action but when they do, it’s likely there will be a large number of fixtures set to be completed within a short amount of days, meaning depth in the squad could be a crucial factor.

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