Oxford United squad competition heats up ahead of League One season

Aaron Ramsey’s Yellows won all four of their summer friendlies, rounding off with a 2-0 victory over Premier League club Ipswich Town.

The U’s were hit with a temporary transfer embargo last month meaning they are unable to register any new players until they prove their compliance with the EFL’s Squad Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) regulations.

This means opportunity has risen even further for youngsters and players previously considered on the fringes and competition for places has risen.

Goalkeeper

Jamie Cumming is firmly the number one choice in between the sticks, with veteran Simon Eastwood the only senior alternative.

The 37-year-old did perform particularly well against Barnet, however, reassuring fans that, if worse comes to worst, he would be able to step in relatively comfortably.

Simon Eastwood has signed a new contract with Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)

Defence

Against Ipswich, Sam Long and Ciaron started together for the first time in pre-season and played for the majority to secure a first friendly clean sheet.

Young centre back James Golding has looked mature whilst the experienced Michal Helik has been solid; Ramsey may prefer the slightly better ball playing of Long and Brown.

Jack Currie and Brodie Spencer will almost definitely be the first-choice full backs, but Greg Leigh has looked back to his best, particularly against Crawley Town, and Peter Kioso has not looked out of place.

Midfield

With Vaulks gone and Brian De Keersmaecker yet to appear since his surgery in February, competition is rife in midfield.

Captain Cameron Brannagan will start, with tough-tackling Jamie McDonnell next to him last time out.

Oxford United winger Stan Mills (Image: Jason Dawson)

Louie Sibley offers an alternative, but McDonnell has impressed more recently at a higher level than Sibley who struggled both with Oxford and on loan last season.

The real chance comes for young Harrison Bradney who has impressed with his energy and composure; he could stake a real claim for a consistent place on the U’s bench this year.

Star man Stan Mills will play on the right, whilst Aidomo Emakhu has been a force on the left combining well with Currie.

Tyler Goodrham has returned and been at the heart of many attacking moves in the no.10 role.

Outcast midfielder Siriki Dembele has shown glimpses of excitement as he has returned to the fold, with Ramsey speaking highly of how he has trained; he will provide decent competition for Emakhu and Goodrham.

Oxford United winger Aidomo Emakhu (Image: Jason Dawson)

With longer-term injuries to Jeon Jin-woo and Ruben Roosken, Aidan Elliott-Wheeler and Leo Snowden, who have both shown promise, also have a chance at becoming rotation options for Ramsey.

Striker

Mark Harris is the most senior option of the two, but has scored no goals in pre-season compared to Gatlin O’Donkor’s three.

Harris is more proven with 19 goals in his last League One campaign in 2023/24, but will have genuine competition if 21-year-old O’Donkor can maintain his goal threat heading into the competitive action.