TYRONE Barnett did not rule out returning to Oxford United in the new year after signing off his loan spell in the best possible way on Saturday.

The striker headed in Wes Burns’s 90th-minute cross to give the U’s a 2-1 win against Bury at the Kassam Stadium.

It was his fourth goal in the last three games, but today he returns to parent club Peterborough after the three-month loan expired.

Barnett’s form at the end of the spell will mean there will be no shortage of interest when he becomes available again in January.

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Offers are likely to come from sides higher than United in the Football League, but the 29-year-old did not dismiss the idea of returning.

“Not at all, I’ve had a great time here,” he said. “I would consider everything really.

“It’s good to enjoy your football and I’ve done that here.

“What more can you ask for when you’re playing regularly and enjoying it?

“It’s the best feeling in the world.”

Head coach Michael Appleton reiterated United will be among the clubs keen to strike a deal with Peterborough.

He said: “Certainly we will be part of that queue.

“Those discussions are between the two clubs between now and January.”

Barnett’s purple patch over the final fortnight of his stay transformed a disappointing return into a very respectable six goals from 12 starts.

He said: “It looks a bit better now, doesn’t it?

“It’s frustrating it’s come to an end now because I seem to have a bit of good goalscoring form.

“It would’ve been nice to carry it on a bit longer, but that’s football.”

The former Crawley Town hitman was grateful to Burns for providing the cross on a plate for him to head home.

He said: “Wes put in a great ball and I can’t ask any more than that.

“It was great to see it go in the net and it was a great last game of my loan spell.

“We have a great team here, the form is good and there’s competition for places.

“I don’t see why we can’t kick on.”

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