• Thu. Jan 30th, 2025

How is U’s squad shaping up with week left in the transfer window?

Byoxfordnewspaper

Jan 28, 2025

OXFORD United are in the market for at least one more player before the January transfer window closes next week.

United have already added centre back Michal Helik, attacker Ole Romeny and striker Tom Bradshaw for undisclosed fees, while Chelsea midfielder Alex Matos has joined on loan.

The loan exit of Louie Sibley to Rotherham United ensures the U’s have managed to get back to the 25-man squad cap set by the Football League which clubs must comply with once the transfer window closes at 11pm on February 3.

It means any incomings must now be offset by an outgoing at United.

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U’s head coach Gary Rowett said: “I think there’s something else we may yet do. I think there might be one or two more players who will attract the attention of other teams, and we’ll make those decisions.

“We left four or five players back at the training ground that weren’t in the squad, so you can see numbers are not necessarily our issue. It’s just seeing if we can strengthen in different ways.”

United were previously keen on adding winger Ryan Longman this month, however the 24-year-old opted to join Wrexham from Hull City.

A wide player is therefore still likely to be a priority signing for the U’s, while either a loan or permanent exit for Jordan Thorniley, Josh McEachran or Owen Dale would seemingly be the most likely outgoings at United.

The U’s have lost five players from their original 25-man squad, in the form of Malcolm Ebiowei, Kyle Edwards, Will Goodwin, Dane Scarlett and the aforementioned Sibley.

In addition to the four players signed this month, left back Joe Bennett has returned to training following a long-term ankle injury, and is expected to be reinstated to the squad.

How is the United’s 25-man squad shaping up?

GOALKEEPERS

Jamie Cumming

Matt Ingram

DEFENDERS

Joe Bennett

Ciaron Brown

Michal Helik

Peter Kioso

Greg Leigh

Sam Long

Elliott Moore

Ben Nelson

Hidde ter Avest

Jordan Thorniley

MIDFIELDERS

Cameron Brannagan

Idris El Mizouni

Alex Matos

Josh McEachran

Ruben Rodrigues

Will Vaulks

ATTACKERS

Tom Bradshaw

Owen Dale

Siriki Dembele

Mark Harris

Matt Phillips

Przemyslaw Placheta

Ole Romeny

Under-21 players (born on or after January 1, 2003) who do not count towards the squad limit

Marselino Ferdinan

Tyler Goodrham

Jacob Knightbridge

Max Woltman

Out on loan

Jack Currie

Stuart Findlay

Will Goodwin

Stephan Negru

Gatlin O’Donkor (Under-21)

Louie Sibley