Oxford United are likely to be without Lewis Bate for their remaining games after the on-loan Leeds midfielder had an operation on a hand injury.
Lewis has enjoyed a successful loan from Leeds this season but broke a bone in his hand during the home game against Derby. He underwent surgery yesterday and as Liam Manning told us, looks unlikely to feature again for the U’s this season.
“It’s unfortunate but unavoidable. The nature of the injury just means we can’t risk him playing right now. He wanted to play on but we can’t delay it or it could lead to long-term issues and that is too great a risk so he is going to have to sit the matches out for the foreseeable future.
"Lewis is gutted but he is a very talented player and has a very bright future ahead of him; Oxford fans have seen that this season and like us will be wishing him a speedy recovery."