Lewis Guy returned to Oxford United yesterday, hoping to impress enough to get a longer-term deal.

The forward, who was on loan at the Kassam Stadium at the start of the season, has been restricted to just one substitute appearance since returning to MK Dons.

But with United short of bodies in attack, bringing back Guy was an easy decision for boss Chris Wilder, not least because his parent club will pay all of his wages while he is with Oxford.

“It’s a no-brainer really,” Wil-der said. “Financially it’s a great deal for the club and Lew did well earlier in the season and pla-yed a part in our successful run.

“He has to add the goals to his general play, we know that, but we have an experienced striker who has played at a higher level.”

Wilder added: “People might say why are you bringing him back in, but if you scratch under the surface, I have only got two fit recognised strikers who are ours.

“Robbie Hall could, in theory, go back at any time.

“Tommy Craddock has played no football at all since a little bit in pre-season, Jonathan Franks has been out for eight weeks and is only just coming back, and Alfie Potter is injured. So we are very light on bodies up the top.”

“Lew is in the process of sorting a deal out with MK Dons in terms of the remainder of his contract, and it’s an opportunity for him to show what he can do.”

Guy, who goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s game against Cheltenham is relishing his second spell with the club.

“I enjoyed my first spell here and wanted to extend it at the time, but for whatever reason it didn’t work out,” he said.

“I speak to Peter Leven on a regular basis and he was full of praise for the club and the players.

“You’re always looking to impress and I will come here trying to earn myself a contract with Oxford, and if that doesn’t happen hopefully with someone else, but I’d like it to be here.

“If the team does well with me here, I will hopefully be doing well as well, and so everyone’s happy.”

l Big match preview: Pages 54-55