Former Shelbourne defender Stephan Negru received a boost on Tuesday - after his first league start for Oxford United ended with an elbow to his nose.
Results from scans and x-rays taken after the Monday night incident, which led to the sending off of Port Vale’s Dennis Politic, showed there was no fracture.
Negru (20) suffered nerve and soft tissue damage, and is gunning for a return to action this weekend against Bolton Wanderers.
The Dubliner earned rave reviews for his performance, which lasted 89 minutes and came hot on the heels of his debut as a substitute against Sheffield Wednesday three days earlier.
Negru made the move to the League One side from Shelbourne in January.
Oxford boss Liam Manning said: “I thought it was a really naughty one, a definite red. It was a terrible one, to be honest.”
He added: “I get to see him (Negru) every day, so I know what he’s about.
“I knew throwing him in he wouldn’t be fazed by it, he would be fearless, and against a challenging frontline he stepped up and did really well.”
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