OXFORD United are cautiously optimistic ahead of the results from a scan on Sam Long’s injured ankle today.

The 20-year-old looked to have sustained a serious injury when he was stretchered off after falling awkwardly during the 1-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday.

X-rays on the night ruled out broken bones, but United’s medical staff had to wait until yesterday for the swelling to go down before the full back could have an MRI scan.

It will show up the extent of the damage and while head coach Michael Appleton does not know how long it will take for Long to return, the indications are the problem is not as severe as first feared.

He said: “I think we’re a little bit more confident than we were when it happened.

“It was worrying and there was a sombre atmosphere in the dressing room at half-time, as you can imagine.

“We expect to get the results back within 24 hours, so we’ll probably have an idea by lunchtime.

“Sam’s OK, he’s in decent enough spirits “Your heart is in your mouth when you see him go down like that, but he’s a strong character and has a good personality.

“Whatever the scan shows, he’ll come back and be fine.”