KARL Robinson wants to investigate Oxford United's chances of keeping hold of Chris Cadden.

The 23-year-old has settled quickly into English football and has started every U's game in Sky Bet League One this season.

United submitted a bid to Motherwell for the right back in the summer, but he ended up joining on loan after being signed by Columbus Crew.

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It was a season-long deal, but the presumption has been the MLS side would activate the recall option in January ahead of their 2020 campaign starting in March.

And while it may be a long shot to keep him longer, the United boss wants to explore the possibilities.

He said: “We’d like to have him here on a permanent deal.

“He was one of our main summer signings and I think people are starting to see why he was one we were really attracted by.

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“What we bid for him was more than I’ve spent on any other position, it showed how much we wanted him.

“We’re very thankful to have him and hopefully we can have him for a lot longer.

“I don’t know (if a deal is possible), they are conversations we’ve not opened up yet.”