Oxford united FC
Oxford United three players who be kept after transfer ban
The club was found to have not been compliant with the EFL’s Salary Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) regulations after their relegation from the Championship.
United have been banned from registering any new players until they are compliant, with the club stating they will be ‘in a strong position ahead of the January transfer window’.
Aaron Ramsey’s side had brought in one new signing before confirmation of the embargo in former Heart of Midlothian centre back Frankie Kent who is not yet registered.
The pressure is now on to keep their star players with a long couple of months ahead fending off interest from elsewhere.
Whilst there a clearly Oxford players who will garner significant interest, these are the players who must stay at the club this summer.
Cameron Brannagan
Possibly the most obvious, but keeping hold of Cameron Brannagan is a must this summer.
The U’s captain and one of their most experienced names, Brannagan will be essential in holding things together both on and off the pitch within the United squad this season.
The 30-year-old has been at the club for eight years now, becoming a club hero after helping secure promotion to the Championship two years ago, and is an outstanding midfielder at League One level.
His passing range, shooting expertise and leadership will be crucial this season as he helps provide stability after an already turbulent summer.
Jamie Cumming
The goalkeeping department is a crucial one to maintain this summer.
After already losing number two keeper Matt Ingram to West Bromwich Albion earlier this month, keeping the main man in between the sticks is a must.
READ MORE: Reported Championship interest in Oxford United star man
READ MORE: Oxford United head to Spain without star man and new signing
Jamie Cumming has shown himself to be an impressive shot-stopper in the Championship and League One and keeping him fit and happy this season will be vital if the U’s are to have a good year.
Behind him is a 37-year-old Simon Eastwood before the Yellows have to dip into their academy for depth, so keeping Cumming at the club is a no-brainer.
Tyler Goodrham
One that may fly under the radar after his season-ending injury in January, but keeping Tyler Goodrham could be a stroke of genius.
After missing the entire second half of last season it is unlikely he will garner much interest, but the 22-year-old could become a key man in the upcoming campaign.
Impressive in his most recent League One season, the U’s academy man is a more mature version of himself and now has Championship experience as well.
He is one of only one or two proper attacking midfielder and, being a Yellows product, could be one that brings hope and excitement to supporters.
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.
Cumming was left out of the squad due to suspension as Oxford beat Thames Valley rivals Reading 2-0 in League One, whilst Helik was forced off in the second half with an injury.
The win saw Reading-born duo Gatlin O’Donkor and Mo Missanga score at the Kassam Stadium to extend the Yellows’ league unbeaten run to 10 games.
U’s goalkeeper Cumming was not available in midweek after being sent off in the final minutes against Barnsley last weekend.
The club had appealed against the red card, with Ramsey providing an update after the match: “They said the decision was the same as the ref’s decision, and they didn’t want to change it.
“So, look, it is what it is. We have to deal with it.
READ MORE: Oxford United player ratings as captain Brannagan inspires win over Royals
READ MORE: Oxford United beat Reading in substitute-inspired Thames Valley derby win
“And then, look, it gives opportunity again for Simon Eastwood to come in and have another solid performance with a clean sheet.
“So, we have players who are ready.”
Cumming will see out a three-game suspension, with it understood that he will miss the weekend’s FA Cup clash with Stevenage but will be available in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy against Cheltenham Town.
The United boss also opened up on the injury to Helik, saying: “He had a knock on his knee from the last match [against Barnsley].
“He’s done well to get through the minutes that he did tonight.
“He felt it a little bit, but no risk taken there.
“So, an opportunity now for him to recover a little bit before the league starts up again.
“We’ll assess him. We’ll see how he responds over the next few days.”
-
Oxford united FC4 weeks agoOxford United lose to Exeter City on penalties in Jersey Mike’s Trophy
-
Student Life4 weeks agoRhodes scholarships cut amid financial difficulties
-
Student Life3 weeks agoFrom Oxford to Cambridge: The 204-mile punt for Alzheimer’s
-
Oxford united FC4 weeks agoChris Gunter details Oxford United tactical adjustments
-
Oxford united FC4 weeks agoOxford United youngster opens up on ‘surreal’ Aaron Ramsey influence
-
Oxford united FC4 weeks agoOxford United win 2-1 at Notts County in League One return
-
Student Life4 weeks agoExeter College to fund data centre in Oxford
-
Student Life3 weeks agoHidden in plain sight: the bakery behind Oxford’s café counters