MICHAEL Appleton heaped praise on Joe Skarz after admitting bringing him back into the Oxford United side yesterday was a huge risk.

The left back ruptured a groin in the final training session before the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final three weeks ago.

He was initially ruled out for six weeks, effectively ending his season.

But after reserve full back Jordan Evans fractured a rib in Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Newport County, Skarz was drafted in for yesterday's vital home game against Hartlepool United.

The 26-year-old took part in some training on Friday, thinking he might have an outside chance of making the squad for next weekend's game at Carlisle United.

But Skarz had no hesistation in putting his hand up when Appleton asked whether he could play against Pools and he went on to play 65 minutes.

Kemar Roofe and Liam Sercombe scored in the 2-0 win, which kept the side in the automatic promotion places with two games remaining.

It was a risky strategy, so the U's boss was delighted to see it come off.

He said: "I’m not going to try and deny it, it was a massive gamble - but it was one worth taking.

"It was less of a gamble knowing the character of the player and knowing he wouldn’t push himself too far.

"I knew he wouldn’t be trying to overlap or go and join in too much and put himself in a position where he took himself out of the game before half-time.

"He played the role very cleverly.

"He’s made so many appearances that if he tells me he feels fine then it was a no-brainer in the end."

Skarz could not complete the full game, but later revealed the substitution had nothing to do with his groin.

He said: "I came off with tight thighs, nothing to do with the injury I had, so I’ll be fine.

"I’ll be sore on Monday when I come into training, so hopefully the gaffer will give me a little rest day. I’m already looking forward to next Saturday.

"(After coming off) I wasn’t sat down, I was in the tunnel striding up and down - I probably did more running in the tunnel than in the game.

"It’s horrible watching when you come off, but they are exciting games.

"We’ve worked all season to get in this position and we know if we win the last two games we’re promoted and that’s all we’re thinking about."