MALACHI Napa’s strong start to pre-season has prompted Oxford United to think twice about their plan to loan him out this season.

But Tony McMahon remains surplus to requirements and available for a move this summer, according to boss Karl Robinson.

Napa was seen as a definite candidate to spend the campaign elsewhere.

The 20-year-old’s momentum was derailed by a virus which kept him sidelined for the second half of last season, after making 22 appearances in a spell with Macclesfield Town.

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Given the disruption, Robinson fully intended to send the winger back out to gain more experience.

But with a lack of attacking signings so far this summer, the door has opened for Napa to stake a claim.

It is a chance he has grasped so far by hitting the ground running during their training camp in Portugal last week.

And the United head coach admitted any decision over his future would now be delayed.

Robinson said: “He’s shown tremendous moments in training and even in the game (at Rangers on Sunday) he showed bits of how good he can be.

“There’s a lot more to come from Malachi.

“He impressed me this time last year and then fell away, so he needs to keep himself at that same level.

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“I want to keep hold of him for a bit longer and make a decision further down the line.”

While Napa is playing his way into United’s plans, McMahon remains out of the picture.

The full back spent the second half of last season on loan at Scunthorpe United.

There is still a year to run on the contract he signed with the U’s last summer, but Robinson made it clear in May the intention was for another move closer to his family home in the north east.

Nothing has materialised so far, but despite being a contracted player McMahon has not been involved with United’s pre-season sessions.

It runs the risk of him getting left behind with the start of the season now less than a month away.

But Robinson, who does want to bring in another right back this summer, expects the 33-year-old to be keeping in shape.

“He’s available,” the U’s boss said.

“I’d imagine he’s got that much experience that he’ll be training.

“It’s not like he’ll be doing nothing.

“We’ll see. We only have one (specialist) right back at the moment in Sam Long, so we do need one more in.”