Oxford united FC
Derby County lose key star for Oxford United clash
The U’s travel to the East Midlands in search of crucial points in the fight for relegation and face a Derby side who are looking to force their way into the Championship play-offs in the final four games of the season.
Matt Bloomfield’s Yellows are currently 22nd in the league and two points from safety and have only been beaten once in the last eight matches.
The Rams, on the other hand, are in topsy-turvy form ahead of the late run-in and were beaten 2-1 by high-flying Southampton in their most recent fixture.
In that defeat, Championship Young Player of the Season nominee Bobby Clark picked up a hamstring strain and is set to miss the U’s test as well as all remaining games of the regular Championship season.
Derby head coach John Eustace confirmed: “Bobby’s not as bad as what we initially thought, which is fantastic news for him but unfortunately he’s going to be missing for three to four weeks.
“He’s had a bit of bad luck there at the end, but overall he’s had a fantastic season. He’s an absolute credit to work with and a top lad.”
On loan from Red Bull Salzburg, Clark has played 41 times for the Rams, scoring three times and assisting four.
There is potential for the 21-year-old to return for the play-off semi-finals should Derby achieve their aims in the final few fixtures.
Eustace also expanded on injuries elsewhere: “Lewis Travis and Carlton Morris weren’t on the grass today, so we’ll have to see what happens.
“But if they’re not available, then we’ve got players who are raring to go, so we’ll step up and give 100%.”
Left back Derry Murkin and goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström are both doubts and will be ‘touch and go’ for the U’s game.
Eustace continued: ““We’ll have to wait and see on Jakey. He’s making huge progress, which we’re all very pleased with, it might be a bit early, possibly, for him to get a couple of games in, but let’s just wait and see.
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“It’d be great if we could get a couple of appearances before the end of the season.”
Max Johnston has returned after featuring for an hour against Saints.
Striker Patrick Agyemang remains out in the long run after an Achilles tendon injury earlier this month, with the United States international missing his home World Cup this summer.
The Oxford Mail has suggested one player in every position for Matt Bloomfield’s side to target this summer.
Goalkeeper – academy promotion
Oxford are set when it comes to goalkeepers, with Jamie Cumming, Matt Ingram, and player-coach Simon Eastwood all at the club.
It would make more sense for a goalkeeper to be promoted from the academy, perhaps Under-21 stopper Monty Marriott who recently spent time on loan at Dorchester Town.
Right back – Jordi Osei-Tutu
Osei-Tutu would provide a more attacking alternative on the right of defence.
Recently released by League One play-off winners Bolton Wanderers, the 27-year-old is energetic and pacey and available on a free.
Centre back – Jamie Knight-Lebel
Controversial, maybe, with the defender having spent last season on loan at Swindon Town in League Two, but a move for their Young Player of the Season could be a natural next step for the Bristol City man.
A move to Oxford to learn from experienced heads Michal Helik and Ciaron Brown would be valuable, with the 21-year-old providing youth and quality in depth.
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Left back – Leon McCann
Oxford have already been linked with two Falkirk players in Barney Stewart and Liam Henderson, but look set to miss out on the former.
After a consistently good season for the sixth-placed Bairns, McCann would be a great signing of a player hitting his peak at 26 years old.
Centre midfield – Archie Collins
After turning down a new contract offer from Peterborough United, the 26-year-old is expected to secure a better move after winning the Posh’s Player of the Season award.
Signing Collins would be a statement of intent from the Yellows with the midfielder one of the division’s standouts.
Left wing – Nathan Redmond
Oxford already have names on the left, but some experience may not go amiss.
The 32-year-old spent last season at both Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers and believes he still has more to give in his career.
Attacking midfield – Conor Chaplin
Linked earlier this week, Chaplin is a free agent having left Premier League club Ipswich Town.
At 29, he is experienced and a proven goal scorer in League One having scored 26 times in 2022/23.
Right wing – Kyreece Lisbie
Lisbie has already held talks with the club and would provide youth, depth and skill on the right wing.
There is competition for his signature, but the Colchester United man seems a no-brainer.
Striker – Jayden Wareham
19 goals for relegated Exeter City is very impressive.
The 23-year-old would be an astute, proven and young addition to the U’s attack.
Leicester City are one of a few clubs already said to be interested.
The U’s are looking to strengthen after their relegation from the Championship last season, with a new striker wanted by supporters after the return of fan favourite Will Lankshear to his parent club Tottenham Hotspur.
Chaplin spent last season on loan at boyhood club Portsmouth as the club survived in the second tier, the 29-year-old scoring twice and managing one assist in 40 appearances.
Meanwhile, his parent club Ipswich secured promotion to the Premier League by finishing second in the league only behind runaway champions Coventry City.
The Englishman was key in the Tractor Boys’ League One promotion-winning season where they finished second, Chaplin scoring 26 goals that year to win the division’s Golden Boot award, joint with Peterborough United’s Jonson Clarke-Harris.
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He was also awarded Ipswich’s Player of the Season award and included in the League One Team of the Season.
Chaplin then struck 13 goals in the Championship as the Suffolk side were promoted again, before suffering relegation from the Premier League the year after.
The attacking midfielder was released by Ipswich last month following their return to the top flight and SportsBoom are reporting that Oxford have ‘expressed an interest’ in signing the free agent.
With experience in the top tiers of English football and proof of goal scoring prowess in League One, Chaplin would be a sensible addition to the U’s ranks.
Tottenham Hotspur want £20 million for 21-year-old Will Lankshear and have turned down multiple bids for him, according to Hayters.
The ex-U’s striker, who was the club’s top scorer last term with 12 goals in all competitions, is highly rated by his parent side who narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League last season finishing two points above the drop zone.
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However, they haven’t ruled out selling him if the right offer comes in with Portuguese side Sporting CP reportedly interested.
In addition Spurs is also considering another loan move for Lankshear to a Championship club, although the London team is looking to fund a summer spending spree that has already seen a £52 million bid for defender Jan Paul Van Hecke accepted by Brighton.
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Lankshear has made three Premier League appearances for Spurs as well as scoring one goal in three Europa League features.
In a breakout season in men’s football, the England youth international became a fan favourite in OX4 for his tenacity and goal scoring success in a struggling Championship team.
The 21-year-old’s attitude off the pitch also endeared the fans to his name, with the player crediting the club as the place where it all began ahead of a hopefully successful career.
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