Oxford united FC
Can Spurs recall Will Lankshear from Oxford United early?
Spurs are currently fighting for their lives in the Premier League and have a large injury list including forward players such as Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, and Dominic Solanke.
Currently in the relegation zone with the threat of Championship football next season a real possibility, fans of the London club have called for the early return of some of their players who are currently out on loan.
One of these names is The U’s Will Lankshear who was named Men’s Young Player of the Year and Men’s Golden Boot winner at Oxford’s awards evening on Sunday.
With 12 goals in all competitions for a struggling Yellows outfit, some Spurs have called for Lankshear to be recalled from OX4 now that their fate this campaign is decided – Matt Bloomfield’s men were relegated to League One last weekend.
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The Premier League confirmed to football.london that players cannot return and play for their parent clubs before the season ends.
Football.london stated: “Premier League loan players are essentially de-registered from the parent club and re-registered elsewhere and that cannot change back until the next registration period opens, which in this case would be the summer transfer window.
“The guidance is that other than the early recall of a goalkeeper in exceptional circumstances, no other player on a long-term loan – full or half season – will be permitted to return to their parent club outside of a transfer window and play first team football.
“So if a loan recall happens outside a window, the player may train but not be eligible for matches until the next registration period unless special exceptions exist.”
Alex Neil’s side are hoping to secure a top-two finish on the final day of the season, with The Lions needing to win and hope that Ipswich Town, who are one point ahead with a superior goal difference, drop points at home to Queens Park Rangers.
Oxford, on the other hand, have nothing to play after relegation was confirmed before their last home game of the season against Sheffield Wednesday last time out.
The U’s put on a show at the Kassam and ran out 4-1 winners thanks to two goals from Tottenham Hotspur loanee Will Lankshear and strikes from Will Vaulks and Myles Peart-Harris.
Millwall struggled to a 1-1 draw with already-relegated Leicester City most recently, a 91st-minute equaliser from Macauley Langstaff rescuing a point away from home.
Striker Josh Coburn was forced off early against The Foxes whilst centre back Caleb Taylor has been missing since picking up a foot injury in his side’s win over Stoke City the game prior.
According to the Southwark News, Coburn’s availability against Oxford remains unclear.
“He’s doing okay,” Lions boss Neil told NewsAtDen.
“He landed awkwardly, so I don’t think that the gash is the biggest issue. We’ll see how he develops this week, and then we’ll make decisions.”
Taylor has been in a walking boot, which is precautionary according to the Southwark News, and a decision on him will also be made closer to Saturday.
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Despite the two possible setbacks, Neil does hope to have some returning faces in the fold for the final day.
“We’re going to have a few players back for this weekend.
“What the game time or involvement will look like is unclear at the moment, but I expect to have a couple of lads back in the squad.”
Midfielder Billy Mitchell and full back Alfie Doughty have both been out since March and April.
The winger’s contract with United is set to expire this summer after a two-year stint in OX4 with a move to the United States touted.
Polish journalist Tomasz Włodarczyk revealed that Placheta has apparently decided to swap English football for the MLS amidst interest in his signature from elsewhere.
Austin is set to be the Pole’s destination, a franchise club founded in 2018 and competing at the top level of US football.
Placheta joined Oxford in the summer of 2024 on a free transfer after his contract at Swansea City expired and has played a total of 60 matches for The U’s, scoring six times and assisting on four occasions.
This season, he has featured 27 times in all competitions and scored three times whilst assisting once.
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The second half of the campaign has seen the 28-year-old hampered by injury after featuring a lot in the first half under Gary Rowett.
Current head coach Matt Bloomfield confirmed he would miss the remainder of the season after Placheta picked up an injury in training following a 2-0 victory over Watford.
The former Norwich City and Birmingham City man has shown signs of brilliance in a yellow shirt, with big goals this season in wins against Bristol City and Ipswich Town, but struggled to show really consistency in his attacking performances for Oxford.
The U’s were relegated from the Championship last weekend after lunchtime results meant that Charlton Athletic and West Bromwich Albion clawed themselves out of the reach of Bloomfield’s side.
Arriving in January, The Yellows’ boss helped the club to an upturn in form after a poor first half of the season under Gary Rowett.
A run of just one defeat in eight games was halted by defeats to Derby County and Wrexham, ultimately leading to Oxford’s relegation.
With one more Championship fixture remaining this weekend against promotion chasing Millwall, Bloomfield touched on his position for next season.
“Yes, I’m confident,” the United boss declared in his pre-match press conference.
“I think I’ve enjoyed my time at the club. It’s obviously been not the outcome that we wanted for the season.
“We knew we’d need to get to 50 points to try and stay in the league. But you never know how the league’s going to go and pan out. We’ve been pleasantly content with some of the improvements that we’ve made.
“But ultimately, we wanted to come stay in the league.
“I’ve just not given much thought to my job, to the bigger situation.
“And ultimately, as a manager or head coach, all you can do is focus on being the best you can be.
After being chosen and appointed by the powers that be at The U’s, Bloomfield maintains that he still feels supported by his bosses.
“Yeah, absolutely,” the 42-year-old replied when asked whether he still feels backed.
“I’ve not heard anything to the contrary, so I keep doing my job. I don’t know anything else, so I keep working.
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“We’ve spent lots of time with Ed this week, as we always do, working, talking about everything that’s going on around the building, around the team. So from my side, nothing’s changed. So as a head coach and as a manager, I keep working.”
Oxford discovered their fate prior to their 4-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday but, despite a good performance, the reality of relegation was one which took its toll.
“My weekend was not good,” Bloomfield continued.
“I had to apologise to my wife on Sunday before I went to the dinner. I was not nice to be around. I hate losing.
“But we’ve got another game to play at the weekend and it’s important that we now focus on what the future holds for our football club. You can’t change the past.
“All we can do is focus on the here and now, being the best we can be today and making sure we’re ready for the weekend and trying to build towards a brighter future.”
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