Wales youngster Ben Woodburn returned from an eight-month injury lay-off by netting in Oxford United’s friendly defeat against Reading.
Woodburn, who joined the League One side on a season-long loan deal last summer, has been out of action since October after breaking a bone in his foot.
The 10-capped Wales international endured a difficult season with Sheffield United last season and his time in League One has also been plagued by injury this term.
But he made a welcomed return to action by volleying his side ahead at Bearwood Park – the Royals’ training ground – before two goals from the Championship side condemned the U’s to a 2-1 defeat.
It looked as though Woodburn would miss out on playing again in the current campaign when the coronavirus pandemic brought the season to a halt.
However, the English Football League gave the green light for the play-offs to go ahead, which presented Woodburn with the opportunity to feature again for the U’s before the season concludes.
Oxford travel to Portsmouth for the first leg of the play-off semi-final on 3 July, before welcoming Kenny Jackett’s men to the Kassam Stadium three days later.
Woodburn has managed assists and one goal since his move to the League One club and his return to action will serve as a huge boost for Oxford boss Karl Robinson ahead of next month’s fixtures.
[Featured image: Lewis Mitchell]
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