Oxford united FC
Oxford United Peart-Harris injury update before Saints trip
Peart-Harris missed out in the draw with Charlton Athletic after picking up a knock in the 1-0 win over Blackburn three days before.
Since joining from Brentford in January, the 23-year-old has been a mainstay in the United team who are currently unbeaten in four games.
“He had a bit of a knock, an issue with his back,” Yellows boss Bloomfield confirmed.
“We’ve had him back out on the grass in the last couple of days so he’s getting closer.”
Oxford travel to Southampton for the first time since 1996, with the Saints relegated from the Premier League last season.
After beginning the campaign poorly under Will Still, head coach Tonda Eckert has transformed their fortunes and they now find themselves on a 13-game unbeaten run and destined for the play-offs.
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“They are a very, very good team,” Bloomfield
“One of, if not the, in-form team in the league. It’s going to be a very stern test for us.
“Obviously, they’ve got some fantastic players, lots that have played in the Premier League, recruited for millions and very well coached.
“We know we’re up against a very tough team tomorrow so we’re going to have to be at our best if we’re going to take something from the game.
“[Eckert] has done an incredible job, a fantastic job. They’ve got such an elite group of players for this league, and he’s done a fantastic job.
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“We know that we’re going to have to be at the top of our game tomorrow and we absolutely believe that when we are at the top of our game that we can put on a good show.
“Tactically, we need to be astute tomorrow because of the opposition we’re facing,” the U’s boss continued.
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“We need to make sure we’re aware of them, but not too side-tracked by that.
“These away games have been good days for us so far and we want to add another one tomorrow.
“We know it’s going to be an extremely tough game for us tomorrow and we’re not getting carried away with what we’ve done away from home.
“We have to get back to zero and make sure we build a performance.”
The U’s have performed well when faced with trips away to club seemed as ‘bigger’ opposition.
A win at another recently-relegated side in Leicester City stands out as a highlight during Bloomfield’s tenure so far, and the hope will be that Oxford can muster a similar performance on Saturday afternoon.
The summer-long saga has felt more like a decade and surely head coach Aaron Ramsey has felt the same after enduring the ritual of being asked about Mills’ status on a weekly basis.
After missing the U’s first pre-season friendly, the winger scored in the second, a 2-1 win over Barnet, and featured in the following couple.
He then missed out in the first competitive game of the season, a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Leyton Orient, before a move to PNE was confirmed by Ramsey ahead of the League One opening day, but not until January.
Mills messaged his boss requesting not to play in the 2-2 opening day home draw with MK Dons before coming off the bench to assist Gatlin O’Donkor in the Yellows’ 2-1 win at Stevenage.
That would prove to be the 22-year-old’s final display in a United shirt, the young attacker showing little enthusiasm upon Oxford taking the lead in Hertfordshire, hinting that his head had certainly been turned.
“I’ve known about it all summer and from the start I’ve wanted to be here, wanted to get going as a Preston player and now it is official.”
Mills’ first words as a Lilywhites player say it all.
Considering the former Everton man has never scored more than three goals in a senior season, my personal opinion was that a January move would be ideal for all parties.
In an ideal world, Oxford would keep a star player for six months, Mills could get his numbers up as a standout player in a weaker league and PNE would get an in-form winger through the doors in the new year.
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But patience is a rare virtue in football these days and off goes the winger to Lancashire.
So, what now for United?
The U’s are without a recognised right-sided midfielder – young Aidan Elliott-Wheeler could be considered – and remain under a temporary transfer embargo.
Aidomo Emakhu has played on the right so far this season and has offered some outlet but he does look much more comfortable in his more natural position on the right.
Then there is 17-year-old Mo Missanga, a youngster who helped change the tide on the opening day against MK Dons and who has excited supporters and the U’s boss alike.
Ramsey has hinted that the Yellows are searching for solutions, and it is understood that a loan transfer where Oxford do not pay any share of the player’s wages could be a way of bringing a player in before Tuesday’s deadline.
Given the circumstances, it will be difficult to replace the ability of Mills but there is certainly a sense of relief that this saga is over.
Now it is time to focus on the football and maintain a strong league position heading into January.
Oxford United have signed Wales international Kai Andrews on loan from Premier League side Coventry City until January.
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Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey has insisted that Stanley Mills’ departure for Preston North End was ‘the best decision’.
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