Eastwood signed a new contract at Oxford in May which would see him help coach the next generation of goalkeepers at the club whilst remaining a first team player.

A month later, the U’s were hit with a transfer embargo and second choice keeper Matt Ingram left the club, throwing the veteran shot-stopper back into an important role as a player.

After Jamie Cumming’s injury earlier in the season, Eastwood was thrown into the action unexpectedly and will now return to the starting XI this weekend for an FA Cup clash against Stevenage with Cumming suspended.

The 37-year-old opened up on his fortunes this season, saying: “I’ve not coached.

Simon Eastwood (Image: Darrell Fisher)

“I think in the last interview I did in here, I said I’d be doing a lot more coaching and stuff.

“But absolutely no coaching has been going on, to be honest.

“It’s more making sure I’m ready to play when needed.

“And don’t get me wrong, I always can help the younger lads to coach them within a session, but Lewis Price has been doing every single bit of that.”

Before the international break, Oxford face Stevenage before a Jersey Mike’s Trophy clash at home to Cheltenham Town.

“I think Jamie is going to play in that one because he’s not suspended for that.

“But football is a funny old game.

“I thought I’d be playing in that one at the start of the season. You’re kind of a number two and you go into the season as a number two.

READ MORE: Oxford United boss lifts lid on Cumming suspension and Helik injury

READ MORE: Aaron Ramsey gives Oxford injury update on Jin-woo, Roosken

“You play in those games and you kind of get your minutes in.

 “I think for Jamie and even for myself, it’s been a very strange start to the football season.

“Nothing that we’ve probably both had before.

“It’s been very unfortunate for him to get the injury when he did.

“And then he came back in and really started to pick up some form and really playing well with Jamie.

“Then to get his red card when he did, it was unfortunate for him.

Oxford United goalkeeper Jamie Cumming signals to the referee (Image: Gary Oakley/PA Wire)

“But when I step in, I just try to do a job and support him.”

With eyes turned to the FA Cup, the former Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth man hinted at how seriously the club would be taking the famous competition.

Eastwood continued: “Everybody knows that our main objective is trying to get out of the league.

“So, that’s obviously what we’re putting first.

“I think this season, to be honest, the FA Cup and the other trophies are just going to be a bonus.”

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.

Oxford United wing back Ruben Roosken (Image: Oxford United)

“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.”

READ MORE: Alfie Potter confident in Oxford City upset vs Leicester

READ MORE: Oxford United boss lifts lid on Cumming suspension and Helik injury

Oxford United’s Jeon Jin-woo (Image: Jason Dawson)

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.