Oxford United have announced their 25-man squad for the season up until January, but it has come at a cost.
Following the recent arrival of Kyle Edwards, Des Buckingham was forced to drop two senior players from his squad and after Joe Bennett picked up a hamstring injury, the defender is one to be omitted.
Bennett Blow as 25-Man Squad Confirmed
Squad Announcement
There was much debate as to who would miss out from Des Buckingham’s squad until January.
Simon Eastwood was the third choice goalkeeper, Jordan Thorniley was a fringe defender and Will Goodwin has struggled with injury. And it was injury that forced the head coach into making a decision with Joe Bennett missing out.
With the other selection, Eastwood was omitted with Jamie Cumming and Matt Ingram selected as the club’s two goalkeepers.
Buckingham also has the option to recall either Eddie Brearey or summer signing Jacob Knightbridge from their respective loan spells at Beaconsfield Town and Braintree Town, with the duo both under 21.
Speaking on Eastwood, Buckingham said: “We have also developed our goalkeeping department in the off-season which will see Simon Eastwood miss out on being registered on our squad list.
“I must re-emphasise that Simon is such an important person to this club and to our group. He has been so vital to the club on this journey back to the Championship and he will remain an extremely important person to us every day at the training ground.
“Simon keeps our standards to an absolute maximum and can step into the squad should injuries take place to both our registered goalkeepers.
Bennett Blow
The 34-year-old has started all four Championship fixtures this season but was forced off in the first half during Oxford’s win over Preston last time out.
Unfortunately for him and the club, the defender won’t be available until the end of the calendar year, so it left little choice but to leave him out.
Oxford have also fumbled themselves with the injury. By deadline day, Buckingham had three natural left-backs to choose from in Bennett, Greg Leigh and summer signing, Jack Currie. However, the former left to join Leyton Orient on loan.
Now, Leigh is the only available left-back for Buckingham and also had his share of injuries last season, which prompted the signing of Bennett in the first place.
Should Leigh be absent, Ciaron Brown or Jordan Thorniley could cover the role, but it’s not an ideal situation, or Buckingham could switch to a back three with Brown alongside captain Elliott Moore and new signings Ben Nelson, but it would affect the wingers which is a key part to Oxford’s game.
