Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: International U’s Defensive Target and Rowett on Budget..
The Football League season is over but there’s still some Oxford United news to cover, including international players, transfer rumours and head coach comments.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: International U’s, Defensive Target and Rowett on Budget
Leigh Features for Jamaica
Greg Leigh came on as a second half substitute as Jamaica won 3-2 against Trinidad and Tobago in an international friendly at Brentford.
The Reggae Boyz were two goals up but two seconds half goals brought the game level. Leigh came on with ten minutes remaining and Jamaica won the fixture with a 94th minute penalty.
Despite the appearance against Trinidad, he was an unused substitute on Saturday during their 2-2 draw against Nigeria.
Harris Named in Wales Squad
Mark Harris has been named in the Wales squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers taking place in June.
The U’s striker is set to play against Liechtenstein at home and Belgium away next month.
Belgium, who have the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku among others will pose a tough test for the Wales team, who have four points from the opening two qualifiers.
U’s Target Posh Defender
Oxford United are reportedly showing interest in Peterborough right-back James Dornelly, according to Football League World.
Championship rivals West Brom, Coventry and Blackburn are all believed to be keen on landing the 20-year-old, who is also a target for Premier League side, Fulham.
The defender turned out 27 times in League One last season with the Posh ending the campaign in a disappointing 18th place.
Rowett on Bigger Budget
Ahead of the initial window opening, head coach Gary Rowett said: “We’ve spoken that if we want to have next season as strong as this season, we’re obviously going to have to increase the budget and spend more on players, but at the same time, that’s always going to be pretty sensible for a club like ours.
“That’s always down to the owner and the leadership team. It’s easy asking as a head coach this is what we need. It’s easy for me and Ed [Waldron, head of football operations] to go cap in hand and say ‘ideally we need this amount of millions to achieve something really good again’ and it comes down to how much any owner wants to pay really.
“Everyone has been incredibly supportive so far. The objective this season was to stay in the division and the objective next season will be just to improve on that. In an ideal world, we need to invest sensibly to get to that point.”
Young Duo Pen New Deals
On Friday, Oxford youngsters Josh Johnson and James Golding signed new deals with the club.
The academy graduates have featured 16 times between them for the U’s, although neither have made an appearance for the club since January 2024.
Golding, who spent time on loan at Maidenhead and Southend in the National League this season, made his debut in October 2021 while Johnson made his first Oxford appearance in August of the same year.
Head of Football, Ed Waldron, said: “It’s really important for the club to have a strong core of young, promising players who have been developed within our system.
“Josh and James are two players who have shown real qualities over each age group and have since enjoyed strong loan spells at first team level across the pyramid.
“We look forward to continuing to work with both as they aim to make an impact on our men’s first team group.”
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