LIAM Manning has praised Oxford United’s board for allowing him to add Alex Gorrin to his squad on a short-term contract.
The U’s announced on Friday that the Spanish midfielder had penned a deal, having remained around the club following the expiration of his previous contract in the summer.
Gorrin suffered a knee injury during training in December and has not played since, however he was named on the bench for the weekend’s draw at home to Blackpool.
The 30-year-old also missed a large chunk of the 2021/22 campaign after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to his other knee during an Emirates FA Cup tie against Bristol Rovers in November 2021.
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Although the former Motherwell man’s contract with United expired this summer, he was invited to remain with the club in order to continue his rehab and work his way back to full fitness.
Having done so, he has been rewarded with a deal until January, U’s head coach Manning has confirmed.
“He’s trained with us with a duty of care and looking after people properly perspective,” said Manning.
“He came back in pre-season and we had a chat at the end of last season, and I said ‘we’ll get you match fit, not just fit to train’.
“He spent a large period of time training with us, and I have to give the board a huge amount of credit for allowing us to do it.
“He brings so much in terms of character, leadership, and he’s loved by the players and love by the staff as well.
“He’s going to be an important one for us in terms of what he brings culturally, but also the impact I’m sure he’ll have in the coming games.”
Asked whether Cameron Brannagan’s absence through illness and Oisin Smyth’s suspension last weekend fast-tracked offering Gorrin a short-term deal, Manning responded: “I’ve communicated with Alex all the way along. He’s a terrific guy and it’s one of those I was conscious he wants to go and play.
“We had a discussion that if there’s an opportunity there, to go and play and start, then explore it.
“As time has progressed, I’ve got to know him and see his qualities. I think with the couple of injuries and a bit of sickness, then like I said, huge thanks to the board for allowing us to bring him in to complement what we’ve already got.”
Gorrin signed for United in June 2019, moving on a free transfer from Motherwell. He penned a two-year contract, with a 12-month option which the U’s triggered in 2021. Last summer, he agreed a new one-year deal with the club.
The midfielder has made 114 appearances for United, 87 of those in Sky Bet League One.
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