KYLE Edwards will play in an Under-21s game as he ramps up his minutes following his return to the Oxford United first team.

The winger played the final nine minutes from the bench in United’s 2-1 defeat at Bristol City, his first appearance for almost 10 months.

Edwards initially joined the U’s on loan from Ipswich Town on summer deadline day last season, and after netting two goals in four appearances, a hamstring injury suffered in training ruled him out for two months.

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He played two games at the end of November, but a recurrence of the hamstring problem saw Edwards return to the sidelines.

The 26-year-old signed a deal with United through from January until the end of last season after his Tractor Boys contract was terminated by mutual consent, but he failed to feature again once he suffered another setback.

After months of intense rehabilitation, Edwards agreed a short-term deal until January and is now back in contention.

He made his comeback from injury at Ashton Gate, and U’s head coach Des Buckingham was pleased to see him back on the pitch.

Buckingham said: “He’s trained fully for three weeks after a gruelling 10 months of a rehab programme.

“We purposefully managed it in a way that if we could get him fit, we’d keep a space to allow him to come in because we know the type of player he is and can be for us.

“It’s a milestone for him, and a bit of confidence. He’ll play on Tuesday in an Under-21s game at the training ground to get more minutes into him, and to ready him now for trying to stay in.”