RYAN Ledson’s future could be at Oxford United after all following the midfielder’s appearance on the final day of the season.

The 20-year-old looked set for a move to Preston North End, which had been in the works since the January transfer window.

Boss Karl Robinson had indicated he would be leaving Ledson out of his matchday squad at Blackburn Rovers, admitting last week there was a “high possibility” of the move to Deepdale going ahead.

But the former Everton trainee was included on the bench at Ewood Park and clocked up his 50th appearance of the campaign as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 defeat.

Afterwards, Robinson indicated the move was now unlikely.

He said: “It’s hard because he’s very committed to this club.

“Unless something comes in that we feel is a necessity, we have to take (financially), he won’t be moving.

“But if it’s something he really wants and is very heavily-weighted financial package for our club we’ll do it.

“Until that point he wants to be here.

“We had a conversation on Friday afternoon when he wasn’t in the squad, but it shows you how powerful fans can be.”

It remains to be seen whether it is the end of the speculation, or just the start of a prolonged negotiation.

But it would appear what had looked a swift, straightforward deal last week has now changed.

When asked whether that meant other clubs were involved, Robinson said: “Not that I know of.

“Preston haven’t really spoken to us.

“We have had a conversation and we believe they like him.

“I’m not really sure what I can say, but I don’t foresee him going there.”

Meanwhile, the United manager was proud of the way his side battled against a strong Blackburn side who will be in the Sky Bet Championship next season.

He said: “We came up short a little bit. We huffed and puffed and we need to learn that we’ve got to score.

“In the first 25 minutes we were the better team – we got in three or four times and didn’t ask a question (of the goalkeeper).

“We finish in a very positive frame of mind.

“Our only two defeats in the last few games have been to the sides in first and second and both were by a one-goal margin.

“I think it’s progress, so we have to move forward now.”