IVO Pekalski is due back at Oxford United shortly – and boss Karl Robinson has not shut the door on the midfielder getting back into his side.

The 28-year-old has endured a nightmare spell since Pep Clotet signed him on a two-year deal with the U’s in August 2017.

He ruptured cruciate knee ligaments in his first training session and by the time he returned to fitness, Clotet had been sacked.

After taking over in March, Robinson was quick to make it clear there was no future at United for Pekalski, who returned to Halmstads on loan in July.

He missed just one league game, due to suspension, making 14 appearances in the Superettan, Sweden’s second tier, which finished last weekend.

Halmstads finished fifth and after a brief break, Pekalski is due back with United.

Robinson admitted he only watched one game, but is keeping an open mind about whether Pekalski will finally be handed a United debut.

The head coach said: “I think he’s going to have a week off and then we’ll bring him back in.

“We’ll certainly run the rule over him and see how he does.

“We paid a lot of money for him.

“All that matters is can you play and can you get round the pitch?”