BEN Nelson could be in line for a return to the Oxford United first team picture next month.
The 20-year-old centre back joined United on loan from Leicester City at the end of August, and impressed across eight appearances prior to suffering a nasty quad injury.
Nelson was forced off just after the hour mark in the 1-0 win at home to Hull City on November 5, and was subsequently ruled out for up to four months.
The defender returned to the Foxes for his recovery, but was not recalled, and his progress means he might even feature for the U’s again this season.
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He was one of four first team United defenders missing as a clean sheet was kept in the 1-0 win at home against Blackburn Rovers yesterday, alongside Joe Bennett, Sam Long and Elliott Moore.
U’s head coach Gary Rowett said: “Ben Nelson is making good progress with Leicester, and we’d be hoping to get him back at some point maybe mid-February or the end of February.
“We’ll wait and see because it’s down to them when we think it’s appropriate.
“Elliott is making slow progress, but that’s expected. Early on with that type of injury, it feels sore for a while, and then hopefully there’s a nice acceleration.
“Longy wasn’t quite available. The problem he had down at Plymouth, he couldn’t quite push off well enough.
“Joe Bennett is available and fit, but he’s only been back for a week’s training, and there was no need to throw him back into the fray so soon.”
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About the author
Liam is the sports reporter for the Oxford Mail, primarily focusing on Oxford United.
He joined in November 2019 as a news reporter, and has previously covered patches including West Oxfordshire, education and local politics.
Liam received a Masters in Journalism from UCLan and can be found on X through the handle @OxMailLiamRice