DES Buckingham was delighted to see Marcus Browne get back out on the pitch after a season ravaged by injury.

The winger began the campaign looking sharp for Oxford United, however a hamstring injury suffered in the 3-1 win at Barnsley on August 19 ruled him out until December.

Browne returned to action at the beginning of December, when the U’s won at home to Grimsby Town in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup.

However, after coming on in the 68th minute, his return lasted just 12 minutes, before he was forced off with a recurrence of the hamstring injury.

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The 26-year-old has now worked his way back to fitness, and looked bright when he replaced Josh Murphy in the 79th minute of United’s 2-0 win at Port Vale.

U’s head coach Buckingham said: “We were able to welcome Marcus Browne back, and he’s worked so hard.

“Owen Dale and Josh Murphy have been excellent for us, but to be able to bring on Marcus Browne gives us options to continue getting at teams, rather than sitting back and sitting off. That’s going to be so important.”