Kemar Roofe has vowed to continue playing through the pain for Oxford United after it was revealed it could take until next summer for his shoulder injury to completely heal.

The forward damaged a ligament in a heavy fall last month at Bristol Rovers, minutes after scoring a spectacular winner.

Roofe missed just one game with the problem and returned to the scoresheet on Tuesday night with another decisive goal in the 2-1 victory at York City.

But the 22-year-old, who is due lead the line at Accrington Stanley tomorrow, admits his right shoulder is still uncomfortable, but considers the only way to solve it – stopping playing – is not an option.

He said: “It’s still hurting, but it’s just about managing it and trying to play through it.

“Obviously I’m not going to be 100 per cent, but the only way it is going to be like that is if I rest it up and miss games. I don’t want to do that.

“I’ve been advised it won’t get worse, I’ve got to be sensible and careful by resting when I need to rest it.”

The issue is likely to remain unless Roofe picks up another injury which allows the ligament to heal.

Head coach Michael Appleton, whose playing career was ended by a knee injury, thinks it may not completely be solved for months.

He said: “It’s not like a hamstring strain, because it’s a joint he will probably have that for the rest of the season.

“We will just manage it as best we can, but there’s no doubt about it, he will continue to feel it for a while.

“I think there will be times when he might need the odd painkilling injection, but I’m always a little bit cautious to keep sticking needles into players because I’ve been there myself as a player with my knees.

“They can work at times, but you have to be careful about over-doing it.”

United can ill-afford to lose their top scorer, whose six goals this season are part of a hot streak which has seen him bag a dozen goals in his last 17 appearances.

Roofe has been aware of defenders looking to target the right shoulder and it has altered his approach.

He said: “Obviously I won’t be doing shoulder barges on that side, I’ve just got to be smart.”