JAMES Roberts has been earmarked for a loan move away from Oxford United, but head coach Michael Appleton was quick to make it clear the striker has a bright future at the club.

The teenager burst onto the scene last season, scoring twice on his full debut, away to Grimsby Town in the FA Cup.

It was part of a five-goal haul in the space of eight appearances for Roberts, but he only featured off the bench in the final three months of the campaign.

The Aylesbury goalscorer was left out of the United squad altogether this season until last Saturday, when he was an unused substitute in the 2-0 win against Yeovil Town.

Appleton is keen for Roberts to play competitive football and wants to line up a loan move – but stressed it did not mean the 19-year-old was on the way out.

He said: “Robbo’s one we want to get games because he could be one who going through the middle third and back end of the season who could be really important to us.

“He’s going to play a massive part in the future of Oxford, no doubt about that.”

The U’s boss has been happier with Roberts in recent weeks, but explained his absence from the 18-man match day squads was down to underwhelming displays in training since the summer.

“I was disappointed with him in pre-season and I told him that,” Appleton said.

“He seemed to come back an angry man and I don’t know why.

“He showed a lot of frustration and I think it spilled over into his performances.

“I asked him to play with a smile on his face and start working hard on doing the things he did last season.

“All of a sudden he started coming towards the ball instead of getting down the sides of defenders.”

Roberts is one of several young players United are looking to send out to gain experience, along with midfielder Josh Ashby and goalkeeper Max Crocombe, who will be absent from Sunday’s trip to Bristol Rovers due to a call-up for New Zealand’s game in Myanmar.

The transfer window closed yesterday without any movement at the club, but clubs have to wait only a week for the loan window to open.

United’s one expected deadline day signing, a back-up keeper, was held up due to the need for international clearance.

It is likely to go through before the weekend – which is permitted due to the target’s status as a free agent.