Oxford Utd

Hutchinson return boosts Oxford
Oxford United may be boosted by the return of midfielder Eddie Hutchinson for their pushes to make the play-off places in the Conference. Hutchinson has been out of action since Boxing Day because of a foot injury. However, an infection which had delayed his return has now cleared up and the former Brentford player has now returned to training. Hutchinson, 25, could figure for the reserves next week as he builds up his fitness ahead of the play-off games.

Zebroski extends Oxford loan deal
Millwall striker Chris Zebroski will stay on loan at Oxford for the rest of the season, and will be available for the Conference play-offs. The 20-year-old, who was initially to stay with the U's for one month, scored his first goal for the club in the 4-1 home win over Weymouth on 9 April. Oxford will finish second in the league if they beat Stafford on Saturday. The U's are three points ahead of third-placed Morecambe and have a far superior goal difference.

Gilchrist puts operation on hold
Oxford United captain Phil Gilchrist is putting knee surgery on hold to help the U's promotion push. The defender, 33, has been affected by the injury for a number of weeks. Gilchrist told the Oxford Mail: "There is something that needs to be looked at with my knee that has been delayed. It will be sorted in the summer. "It's a problem I can't do anything about until the end of the season so it's a case of as much or as little as I can, depending on the circumstances."

Oxford rocked by Foster injury
Oxford United defender Luke Foster will miss the U's bid to clinch promotion through the play-offs after breaking a leg at York City on Saturday. Foster went off injured in the game and underwent an X-ray on Monday, which confirmed two fractures of the fibula. He will be out of action for six weeks, ruling him out of Oxford's play-off semi-finals against Exeter City and the possibility of the final on 20 May. Foster, 21, has been a regular in the side during the last few weeks.

Oxford set to make major changes
Oxford United are set for major changes following their play-off loss with boss Jim Smith considering his own position. Smith told the Oxford Mail: "I don't know about if I'll be continuing. I'll sit down with Nick (Merry)." Oxford's defeat on penalties to Exeter City means budgets will be cut and the playing squad will be reduced for a second season in the Conference. Smith added: "Things are going to have to change because we can't afford to go to the level we were at this season." Smith continued "Well, we're not allowed to - never mind whether we can afford it or not. Obviously there will be people that lose their jobs."

Smith to continue as U's manager
Oxford United boss Jim Smith has vowed to carry on in a bid to lead the U's back into the Football League. Smith, 66, admitted after Oxford's play-off semi-final defeat that there would be changes at the Kassam Stadium. But Smith told his club's website: "Nick (Merry) wanted me to stay and be the manager and I probably want to be manager now more than ever. "I am even more determined to get Oxford back into the Football League. We are better equipped for next year."

Brevett announces his retirement
Veteran full-back Rufus Brevett has announced his retirement. Brevett, 37, was released by Conference side Oxford United on 17 May after helping the U's reach the play-offs in his first season at the Kassam Stadium. U's boss Jim Smith told the Oxford Mail: "Rufus has told me he is packing in the game." Brevett began his career with Doncaster before a seven-year stint with QPR from 1991 to 1998. He also played for West Ham, Fulham, Plymouth and Leicester.

Oxford Utd snap up striker Twigg
Blue Square Premier side Oxford United have completed the signing of forward Gary Twigg from Airdrie United on a two-year contract. The 23-year-old former Derby County trainee scored 11 goals last season but could not save Airdrie from relegation to the Scottish Second Division. Oxford United chairman Nick Merry told BBC Radio Oxford: "He's got a good record and he's very versatile too. "He can play wide or down the middle and he'll be a good asset to us."

Smith happy as Oxford bag point
Oxford boss Jim Smith was content with a point from a goalless draw at their potential promotion rivals Stevenage. Smith admitted: "We knew it was going to be hard, they set off extremely well but we defended well. "We built on that and I thought we were the better team in the second half, it was a good point because they are a good side." Smith hopes striker Gary Twigg will only be sidelined for two weeks after suffering an ankle injury.

Mistakes anger Oxford chief Smith
Oxford boss Jim Smith bemoaned his side's shoddy defending and poor finishing following their 3-2 defeat at home to Aldershot. Smith said: "It was a case of us giving them goals and then missing five or six great chances. "Arthur Gnohere's handball for their penalty was criminal. Why he put his hand in the air I will never know. "Then we gave the ball away and got punished. But had we then taken our chances we would have got a result."

Tardif parts company with Oxford
Goalkeeper Chris Tardif has left Oxford United and has decided to end his professional career. Tardif, 26, has terminated his contract at Oxford by mutual consent and plans to start a new job and play part-time. The former Portsmouth keeper joined Oxford in May 2004 and started 61 games for the club. Meanwhile, U's defenders Phil Gilchrist and Chris Willmott are set to return from long injury lay-offs in a friendly against Milton United next week.

Oxford sign deadline day strikers
Oxford United have signed teenage strikers Ashley Barnes and Matt Green on loan. Plymouth's Barnes, 18, has made just one appearance for this season, in the Carling Cup, and will be on loan at Oxford until the start of January Green, 20, arrives on a month's loan and has enjoyed a spell at Darlington. Meanwhile, former Bradford City and Walsall midfielder Michael Standing has left Oxford to join Blue Square Premier rivals Grays Athletic on loan. The 26-year-old has joined the Bridge Road club with a view to a permanent move in January.

Patterson hails fans after defeat
Darren Patterson paid tribute to Oxford's fans after the Blue Square Premier side lost 3-0 at Southend in their FA Cup second-round replay. The U's boss said: "Our fans were absolutely magnificent. "They're among the best supporters, not just in our league, but in the country. We're just disappointed we couldn't nick a goal for them. "Southend were very good with their movement and passing. That is what we have to aspire to," he added.

Tonbridge thrilled to hold Oxford
Tonbridge Angels manager Tom Warrilow was "absolutely delighted" after his Ryman Premier Division side drew 0-0 at Oxford United in the FA Trophy. The Angels now face a replay at Longmead Stadium against the former top-flight Football League club. "The boys didn't let themselves down - we matched their work-rate," Warrilow told BBC Radio Kent. "Obviously we tired a little bit at the end, but we had one chance headed off the line and we hit the post."

Scots striker Twigg leaves Oxford
Striker Gary Twigg has left Oxford United in order to seek a move back to his native Scotland. The former Derby youngster, 23, joined the U's from Airdrie at the start of the season but has failed to settle. Twigg has also been troubled by injuries and has started just five league games, scoring three times. "His partner is expecting a baby and they wanted to move back to Scotland. We won't stand in Gary's way," boss Darren Patterson told Oxford's website.

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