Kemar Roofe will finish the season on loan at Oxford United and head coach Michael Appleton is hoping to convince the forward to sign permanently this summer.

The 22-year-old’s initial one-month stay from West Bromwich Albion was due to expire next week, but yesterday he agreed a new deal to cover the remaining 11 games of the campaign, starting with Plymouth Argyle’s visit tomorrow.

Appleton coached the player several years ago, when he was in charge of the youth team at the Hawthorns and has been impressed with the way he has developed in the meantime.

And United’s head coach revealed he would jump at the chance to make the move permanent this summer, when Roofe’s contract expires.

He said: “From my point of view I had those discussions the first day he walked in.

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“I knew him as a character and he’s got fantastic attributes – I think we’ve seen that already over the last few games.

“I would be absolutely delighted if there was an opportunity to take it further.

“The player loves it here, I’ve worked with him for two or three years at West Brom and I’m delighted with what he’s done so far when he’s come in.”

Roofe has made five appearances for United, with his first start coming in last weekend’s 1-0 win at Bury.

He is in line to keep the shirt against the Pilgrims, especially with top scorer Danny Hylton suspended.

The versatile attacker, who has not played for West Brom’s first team, has spent time at Northampton Town, Cheltenham Town and Colchester United in the past.

Appleton is hoping Roofe will prefer the prospect of regular football with the U’s to offers from higher-ranked clubs if he is released.

“Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener, but it’s nice to be loved and feel a part of something – hopefully he feels that here,” he said.

“He’s been on loan at clubs and it’s not quite happened for him and he’s gone back early.

“I don’t think he’s got any designs to go back to West Brom.

“He’s got to decide whether he wants to come out of a Premier League club and possibly go to a Championship club, but running the risk of being on the bench for 12 months.”