Oxford united FC
Aaron Ramsey gives Oxford injury update on Jin-woo, Roosken
The U’s have two cup fixtures ahead of them before the final international break of the calendar year, facing Stevenage in the FA Cup on Saturday before hosting Cheltenham Town in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy on Tuesday night.
Oxford go into the clash with Stevenage off the back of a 2-0 win over rivals Reading which saw them extend their League One unbeaten run to 10 games.
With another pause in league action on the horizon, it begs the question as to how close long-term absentees Jin-woo and Roosken are to returning to the pitch.
Both players picked up injuries in pre-season and have yet to make an appearance this season.
Explaining their possible return and timeframe, Ramsey said: “They’ve both been training with the team, so they’re progressing really nicely.
“Obviously, we’re still guided as well with the guys here who’ve done great work with them.
“They’ve both been in full training now. They’re going to have to build up their minutes as well.
“What they’ve got through in training and the loads that they’ve done over the last few weeks has been really encouraging for us.”
When asked if supporters are most likely to the duo back on the pitch after the international break, the United head coach replied: “Maybe, but we’ll see.
“They’re in a position now where they will need some minutes over the coming weeks.
“When we do that, we’ll sit down and make the best decisions for them.”
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Ramsey also touched on the knock that centre back Michal Helik had picked up against Barnsley before then being withdrawn early in the win over Reading, saying: “Mish had a knock against Barnsley. He got through the week.
“He’s in a bit of an awkward position with a little bit of swelling.
“It can be a pretty sore one. Just managing that now over the next few days and seeing how that settles down.
“We’ll see whether he’ll be in the squad or not tomorrow and then go from there.”
As a manager who likes to rotate, fans can expect more of the same from Ramsey for the Yellows’ FA Cup First Round fixture on Saturday.
The U’s host a Stevenage side whom they have already beaten once this season, winning 2-1 away from home in the former Arsenal midfielder’s first competitive victory in charge.
Ramsey won three FA Cup titles with the Gunners and will be hoping for more success as a head coach.
He continued: “Obviously, it’s a competition that I’ve had a lot of success in.
“It means a lot to me and some of the experiences that you get in this competition are some of the best.”
Aiden Murray, 23, of Little Bury, Oxford, has been charged with one count of breaching a Football Banning Order.
He has been bailed to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on January 14, 2027.
A 19-year-old man from Wokingham was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after damage was caused to a bus.
He has since been released on conditional bail.
Police also arrested a 16-year-old boy from Reading on suspicion of a Section 5 Public Order Act offence and failing to provide details under Section 50 of the Police Reform Act.
He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
The arrests came amid a major policing operation surrounding the Oxford United and Reading fixture.
Police put extra powers in place ahead of the game amid concerns over potential disorder.
A total of 19 Section 35 dispersals were issued across Reading and Oxford during the operation, four of which were issued by British Transport Police.
Section 60AA powers were also used, allowing officers to require individuals to remove face coverings.
Police said everyone asked to remove a face covering complied with officers’ requests and no breaches were recorded.
The fixture had seen an increased police presence in Oxford, including around the city’s railway station.
Police had also announced ahead of the match that dogs, drones and additional powers would be deployed as part of the operation.
Thames Valley Police has confirmed that Aiden Murray, 23, of Little Bury, Oxford, has been charged with one count of breaching a Football Banning Order. He has been bailed to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on 14 January 2027.
The police force has also confirmed that a 19-year-old man from Wokingham was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after damage was caused to a bus. He has since been released on conditional bail.
A 16-year-old boy from Reading was also arrested on suspicion of a Section 5 Public Order Act offence and failing to provide details under Section 50 of the Police Reform Act. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Thames Valley Police has also confirmed that there were 19 Section 35 dispersals issued in Reading and Oxford, four of which were issued by British Transport Police.
Whilst Section 60AA powers were used to require individuals to remove face coverings. All individuals complied with officers’ requests and, as such, no breaches were recorded.
A Section 35 order gives police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) the power to direct individuals causing, or likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to leave a specified area.
A Section 60AA order gives uniformed officers the power to require any person to remove items worn wholly or mainly to conceal their identity, such as face coverings, and to seize any item they reasonably believe is intended for that purpose.
The U’s away match at Wigan Athletic has been delayed by 24 hours and will now be played on January 20, with an 8pm kick-off. It will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event.
The return Thames Valley Derby against Reading, scheduled for February 6, will start at 12.30pm.
United’s home fixture against Luton Town on February 27 will also be shown on television and will kick off at 12.30pm.
The U’s are third in the League One table and have gone 10 games unbeaten. They beat Thames Valley rivals Reading 2-0 on Wednesday night.
Broadcast selections for March 5-8, 2027, will be announced by February 5, with weekly announcements then covering four weeks ahead.
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