KYLE Edwards has been ruled out for the season after suffering a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

It was expected that the 26-year-old winger would return for Oxford United, for the side’s run-in at the end of the campaign, however head coach Des Buckingham has confirmed that will not be the case.

Edwards signed a deal with the U’s until the end of the season back in mid-January, after his contract at Ipswich Town was terminated by mutual consent.

He had spent the first half of the season on loan at United from the Tractor Boys, and made a blistering start to life at the club, netting twice in four appearances, before suffering a hamstring injury during training at the end of September.

Edwards briefly returned for the games against Cheltenham Town and Bolton Wanderers at the end of November, but a recurrence of the hamstring problem ruled him out again.

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Providing an update on the wide player, Buckingham said: “Unfortunately Kyle has had a setback in his rehabilitation on his hamstring, so we won’t see him play this season again.

“It’s unfortunate for him, and unfortunate for us because as you’ve seen with Marcus Browne coming back in, it gives us different options.

“It’s very unfortunate for him, but he will stay at the club and we will work him on getting him rehabilitated and getting him as strong as he needs to be.”

He added: “I think everybody’s seen how good of a player he is at this level, and above I’m sure.

“He’ll come back strong and demonstrate what he’s capable of doing again, I’ve no doubt about that.

“He’s a very strong-minded individual and somebody that will do everything he can, and we will support him through that, to make sure he returns as strong a player, and if not better when he does step back on the pitch.”

Asked whether Edwards would be a player that United would look at for next season, Buckingham responded: “It’s not something we’ve discussed. At the moment, it’s making sure he’s got all the support around him that he needs, and that we do everything right by him, and him by us.

“He was our player when he got injured and he had an operation to try and get him back to a point, but unfortunately that hasn’t happened.

“We need to make sure we look after him first, and then we’ll have those conversations.”

Edwards came through the academy system at West Bromwich Albion, where he scored four times in 49 appearances across all competitions.

During his time at The Hawthorns, Edwards spent the 2017/18 campaign on loan at Exeter City in Sky Bet League Two.

He joined Ipswich in August 2021, netting three times in 62 games, and helped the club to promotion from League One last season.