This week, Oxford United finally ended their losing away run with Des Buckingham’s side picking up points in both of their fixtures.
Elsewhere, there is an early transfer rumour and international call-ups for several U’s players.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Successive Away Draws and International Call-Ups
U’s Linked With Lincoln Defender
The week began with Oxford being one of three Championship clubs being linked with Lincoln defender, Paudie O’Connor.
This is according to Football Insider reporter, Pete O’Rourke who claims Blackburn and Preston have also shown interest in the 27-year-old.
The defender is out of contract in the summer but the report adds that there could be moves in January.
O’Connor joined the Imps in 2022 and has surpassed 100 appetite for the League One outfit.
Point on the Road Against Luton
Oxford picked up their first points on the road with a well-earned draw at Luton.
Two defensive errors saw the visitors go two goals down against the recently-relegated Premier League side but Tyler Goodrham curled home a beauty just before the break.
The U’s grew into the game and Ruben Rodrigues netted a deserved equaliser. There were plenty of other chances for the visitors but despite that, will be happy with the point.
International Call-Ups
Mark Harris was called up to represent Wales during the upcoming international break. The U’s striker, who made a return to the national team against Montenegro in their last fixture, will be hoping to gain more minutes against Iceland and Montenegro, again.
Marselino Ferdinan was also called up to represent Indonesia. The 20-year-old will be hoping to feature in the World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain and China.
Ciaron Brown was next, with the defender announced in the Northern Ireland squad to face Belarus and Bulgaria.
Ben Nelson and Dane Scarlett were recalled to the England Elite League squad to face Italy and Czechia. Scarlett captained and scored in their last fixture in Stockport.
Defenders Greg Leigh and Peter Kioso have been called up for the Jamaica and DR Congo squad, respectively. Leigh could be in contention to face Nicaragua and Honduras while Kioso could earn his first cap for the Leopards in their double-header against Tanzania in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Point at Portsmouth
The U’s then picked up their second away point of the week with a draw at Portsmouth.
Jamie Cumming made a third-minute penalty save before Oxford squandered chances through Mark Harris, Idris El Mizouni and Ruben Rodrigues.
Josh Murphy, playing against his former club, laid on an assist as the hosts opened the scoring shortly after the restart but Louie Sibley was on hand to net his first U’s goal and earn a point for Des Buckingham’s side.
