James Roberts will return to Oxford United following the expiration of his loan at neighbours Oxford City.

The 19-year-old striker failed to score during his month-long spell and departs ahead of their Vanarama National League South trip to Gosport Borough tomorrow.

General manager Justin Merritt said there are no plans to extend the deal after a frustrating spell for both club and player.

Merritt stated: “James is a good lad and a very good player, but he’s been unfortunate to come into a team that were out of form and not creating the chances he needs.

“He’s trained well and he’s put a lot of effort in, but it’s just not worked out as we would have liked it to.

“He obviously has to take responsibility for his own performances, but it’s not just down to him, because the team hasn’t been performing.

“He’s a good professional and I’m sure he will have a bright future.”

City are boosted by the return of experienced full back Paul Stonehouse from a loan spell at Slough Town.

Captain Darren Pond is also restored to the squad after recovering from an ankle injury, having come off the bench in Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Maidenhead United.

“Darren’s been with us a long time and he’s seen all the ups and the downs and everything in between,” said Merritt.

“He just gives us a bit of bite in midfield, and with conditions as they have been lately, we could have really done with that.”

Suspension rules out David King, Reece Fleet and Kynan Isaac for the Gosport trip, while Alejandro-Adrian Santiago misses out with a back injury and Marlon Jackson also faces a fitness test with a tight hamstring.

The task this weekend is to end a run of six games without a win, which has seen City drop out of the play-off places.

But Merritt is still confident his side can turn their form around in time to maintain a promotion challenge.

He said: “Despite this run, we’re still only a few points off the play-offs and we have games in hand.

“We’ve got to play the sides above us, so we have chances to catch up.”

SATURDAY’S SQUAD

Oxford City (v Gosport Boro, away): from Walker, Arzamendi, Lapoujade, Bevans, Henderson, Pond, Lafuente, Whichelow, Bubb, McDonagh, Jackson, Benjamin, Pifarré, Stonehouse.