Oxford United weren’t in action this week after their League One fixture at Fratton Park on Boxing Day was positioned due to Covid.
Elsewhere, the club have begun talks with some of their out of contract players and manager Karl Robinson provided an injury update ahead of next week’s matches.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Pompey Postponed, Injury News and Contract Talks
Contract Talks Begin
Oxford United have begun talks with the clubs’ out of contract players, according to Karl Robinson.
The U’s boss is at risk of losing nine senior players with a further four youngsters also out of contract in the summer.
Among them are James Henry, Mark Sykes and captain Elliott Moore, while midfielder Alex Rodriguez Gorrin is also on the list, although he hasn’t played since November with an ACL injury.
Robinson is determined to keep hold of the Spaniard. Speaking to the Oxford Mail, he said: “We’re speaking a lot about who we want to look for, for next season. Alex will be someone we’ll offer a contract to.
“What he’s given this football club in the last two or three years, he’s somebody I’ve been able to rely on for a long time and he’s someone that means a lot to me.
“That’s why when he got injured it was gutting for him and for his career – it was a difficult one to accept.”
Elsewhere, Henry has racked up over 200 appearances and 50 goals during his time at the club while Sykes and Moore have been regular starters this season.
Portsmouth v Oxford United Postponed
Oxford’s Boxing Day trip to Fratton Park was postponed after continued positive Covid cases in the Portsmouth camp.
The south coast club have called off games against AFC Wimbledon and Exeter City, meaning their match against the U’s is the third in succession.
Danny Cowley’s side informed the EFL that they would be unable to fulfil the fixture.
It is the second match Oxford have seen postponed this season due to Covid after their trip to Wigan was called off just three hours before kick-off.
U’s Youngster Sent Out on Loan
Oxford United youngster Will Owens has joined Biggleswade Town on a one-month work experience.
The second-year scholar could make his debut on Boxing day on the opposing side against Ben Watt and St Ives Town.
The 18-year-old left-winger has impressed for the youth team this season but has often been deployed as a left-back.
Injury Update
With their Boxing Day match against Portsmouth postponed due to Covid, the U’s received relatively good news regarding injuries on Thursday.
James Henry limped off with a calf injury during the warm-up ahead of the defeat against Wigan Athletic but the U’s boss believes the 32-year-old could only miss one month of action.
Speaking to the Oxford Mail, he said: “It’s three to four weeks we think. It’s better than we thought, thankfully.
“At this time of year everyone has injuries, coughs, colds and Covid, you’re always without players.
“Other than Jamo and the likes of Alex (Gorrin) we’ve got most of our players raring to go for the AFC (Wimbledon) game. We’ll be ready for that.”
Robinson will be able to welcome back several other key players for the match against the Dons. Midfielders Cameron Brannagan and Herbie Kane will return from their self-isolation along with Luke McNally and Sam Winnall.
Nathan Holland, who missed the match against Wigan with injury, returned to training before Christmas and Jordan Thorniley has returned from his one-match suspension.
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