Burnley have refused to extend Tom Cowan's loan by a further month, leaving United without a recognised left-back ahead of tonight's game at Luton.

Roy McFarland had made several requests to keep the experienced defender but in view of the proximity of Thursday's transfer deadline Burnley boss Stan Ternant wanted his player back, despite Cowan not figuring in his first team plans.

Cowan already knows he can leave Burnley on a free transfer this summer and said he enjoyed his spell at the Abbey, but the news means Marc Joseph may have to fill in again at left-back. The centre-half did well in that position against Bristol City and Scunthorpe, when the U's recorded back-to-back 3-0 wins, but with Martin McNeil showing signs that his term in the first team may have gone on a few games too long, McFarland may have preferred to use the more experienced Joseph in the centre.

However with Jason Kavanagh fit again and available for selection, McFarland does at least have an option at right full-back in his injury-hit squad.