Goalkeeper George Long is set to cut short his loan spell at Oxford United and return to parent club Sheffield United.

The 21-year-old was left out of Saturday’s squad that defeated York City 1-0, and is poised to return to the Division Three side.

Long joined Oxford from the Blades during the summer transfer window and began the season as manager Michael Appleton’s first-choice keeper whilst Ryan Clarke recovered from foot surgery.

However, the England Under-21 international is now surplus to requirements now that Clarke has returned to the frame and Max Crocombe can occupy the bench.

Boss Appleton reportedly told Long on Thursday that he wouldn’t feature in his first-team plans for the foreseeable future, despite his initial loan deal expiring in January.

Looking to free some space for some potential new loan signings at the Kassam Stadium, Appleton said: “The ball is in his court a little bit and it’s not a nice one, but I have had to tell him Max will be on the bench from now on.

“I’m sure he will have conversations with his representatives and possibly Sheffield United over the weekend and we’ll just see where we get from that.

“From my point of view if I have George on the bench it limits the opportunities I have to bring people into the squad.

“It was just purely down to making sure I can bring loans into the building and they won’t be affected by me not being able to get them in the squad.”