Oxford United enjoyed another unbeaten week with four points gained from their home matches against AFC Wimbledon and Cheltenham Town. There was also positive transfer news with influential midfielder Herbie Kane committing his short term future with the club until the end of the season.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Unbeaten Week and Herbie Kane Stays Until the Summer
Win Over AFC Wimbledon
Oxford United returned to action with a comfortable win over AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday night.
The U’s took the lead through in-form Mark Sykes before Matty Taylor struck his 12th goal of the campaign following some good work from Gavin Whyte.
The Northern Ireland international was involved again as Oxford added a third in the second half, with his teasing delivery dispatched by Sam Long.
The result moved the U’s up to fifth in League One ahead of the visit of Cheltenham Town on Saturday.
Kane Stays With Oxford United
While the result and display was important for Oxford fans, the news that midfielder Herbie Kane would stay until the end of the season may have topped it.
The 23-year-old joined the club in the summer on a season-long loan from Championship strugglers Barnsley and his impressive form sparked rumours of a potential recall.
However, speaking after the game, U’s boss Karl Robinson confirmed that Kane would stay with the club until the end of the season after the Oxford owners paid a fee to remove a break clause in the current deal.
Speaking to the Oxford Mail, Robinson said: “We agreed today with Barnsley to keep Herbie Kane for the rest of the season.
“There was a clause in his contract that he could be recalled in the first few days into January and the owners put up a fee to take that clause out, which is tremendous business.
“They’ve agreed it, it’s been sent back and forth. Herbie’s signed it today, he’s over the moon from that.”
The midfielder is yet to score from his 19 appearances but his performance have been exemplary and have brought even more out of Cameron Brannagan.
Frustrating Draw Against the Robins
Oxford were unable to back up their victory over the Dons with another three points in a frustrating afternoon against Cheltenham Town.
Taylor saw a first-half penalty saved before the Robins took the lead shortly after the restart with the U’s unable to properly defend a poor corner.
Despite falling behind, Sykes and Whyte linked up yet again with the former netting his fourth goal in five games to earn a vital point for the hosts.
The result keeps Oxford in fifth spot in League One ahead of a trip to struggling Lincoln City next weekend.
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