Rowett may lean on experience against Sunderland
Oxford United boss Gary Rowett said that he may choose a more experienced squad as the side look to secure Championship safety against Sunderland on Saturday (15:00 BST).The U's are three points above the relegation zone and could take themselves out of a final day relegation fight if they pick up three points against the Black Cats."At this stage of the season, do you err more on experience, people who have been here before?" Rowett told BBC Radio Oxford."Picking a team at the start of next season might be very different from picking a team with two games to go, and that's a bit of a challenge. You always want to pick the team on merit."But I think you do have half an eye on who is going to make good decisions when there's a little bit of pressure on in the game. Certainly that will be in my mind."Having been there and done it is not the only attribute Rowett is looking for in his squad selection.He is also mindful of those who are returning from long injury spells, such as left-back Greg Leigh, who missed eight games with a hamstring injury."When you come back from a hamstring injury, do you just go with someone whose a bit more game ready?" Rowett added."When there's two games to go, match fitness plays a big factor."As for freshly returning players, right-back Hidde ter Avest is back in training and will be available for selection.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Ex-Arsenal and Man Utd stars to go head-to-head for League One manager job
Plymouth Argyle are considering two former Premier League stars for their managerial vacancies after Wayne Rooney's replacement, Miron Muslic departed the club for Schalke. Jack Wilshere and Tom Cleverley are among the candidates to be interviewed for the vacant Plymouth Argyle job. Both the former Arsenal midfielder and ex-Manchester United ace are out of work having managed in the Championship last season Plymouth are in need of a new boss having seen Miron Muslic depart for Schalke after less than a year in the job. Muslic oversaw the side's relegation after replacing Wayne Rooney at Home Park. Rooney was sacked by the club in December after lasting 221 days of his three-year contract. The ex-Derby and Birmingham City boss managed just four wins and was relieved of his duties after a nine-game winless run put the team four points from safety. Muslic was expected to continue at Plymouth having given chairman Simon Hallett assurances he would lead the side's campaign to earn promotion from the Championship. The club had already moved to put personnel and structures in place that Muslic insisted upon. But Argyle have been forced into the managerial market and could go for a high-profile name once again with Wilshere and Cleverley in the frame. The former took charge of Norwich's final two games of the season as interim-boss after the Canaries parted ways with Johannes Hoff Thorup. Wilshere arrived at Carrow Road in October 2024 as a member of coaching staff. The ex-England international was previously in charge of Arsenal under-18s and parted ways with Norwich via mutual agreement after the team decided they wouldn't consider him for the permanent job. Cleverley meanwhile saw his playing career end with Watford where he moved into coaching. The 35-year-old was working with the Hornets academy before being named as interim head coach when Valerien Ismael was dismissed. Cleverly impressed enough to be handed the role on a permanent basis but lasted little over 12 months before being sacked last month. The United academy product remained proud of his efforts. "After the sadness wears off, I will forever have a feeling of gratitude and happiness towards the club and the place and people of Watford," he said. "To have built a connection with the players and supporters over the last 14 months has been special and the achievement I'm most proud about. "To see the development of our key players, young players and academy players, has been an incredibly rewarding part of my job and their progress in the game will always be something I look out for. We have used 11 players aged 21 and under this year and both they and the club will benefit hugely for this experience. "To maintain league position and points after selling key players last summer is something we should be proud of, as well as reflecting on why we couldn't sustain our play-off challenge will be something we should all review." Wilshere and Cleverley will also see competition from Des Buckingham. The 40-year-old was surprisingly sacked by Oxford United in December.
Metro
8 hours ago
- Metro
Reece James reacts to Chelsea's signing of in-demand striker Liam Delap
Reece James is 'delighted' that Chelsea saw off competition from Manchester United to secure the signing of in-demand striker Liam Delap. Enzo Maresca's side had made signing a new striker a priority for the start of the transfer window, and quickly earmarked Delap after his promising first season in the Premier League. The Ipswich Town striker scored 12 goals in 37 league games, but was available for just £30million following his side's relegation back to the Championship. Chelsea moved quickly to sign the 22-year-old, seeing off interest from United who also held one-to-one talks with the England U21 international. Delap spoke of his desire to win trophies as a key motivator for his move to Stamford Bridge, with James confident that the striker has what it takes to deliver the goods for his new club. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. 'He's had a great season at Ipswich and I'm very happy he's going to be joining us for next season,' James said ahead of England's World Cup qualifier with Andorra. 'He's a great player and I'm delighted he's with us.' James, meanwhile, finds himself back in England's squad for a second successive time under Thomas Tuchel as the full-back continues to put the worst of his injury woes behind him. The Chelsea skipper has plenty of competition for the coveted right-back spot in the starting eleven, but believes his performances over recent months should speak for themselves. 'For sure, I'm moving in the right direction. I finished off the season strong and I feel like I'm in a good place,' he added. 'It's something I'm used to – playing and competing with world-class players. 'They (Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker) are two phenomenal players in my position so of course it's going to be tough but we all have different capabilities and strengths, so it's whichever the manager wants to decide to play.' Tuchel, meanwhile, expressed his sympathies with recently sacked Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou. It was only last month that Postecoglou carried Spurs to Europa League glory, but Daniel Levy has now chosen to part ways with the Australian, who paid the price for a disastrous league campaign which saw his side lose 22 of their 38 games. More Trending 'It just shows you that it is not only about titles, you can survive seasons without titles if your connection, the support and the belief and the trust between the coach and the club is strong then you can overcome seasons without titles,' Tuchel said. 'If there is slight disbelief, if there are concerns, if the trust is not there anymore, obviously then it is sometimes not even enough to win a trophy after so many years. 'I have biggest respect for him. He's a huge character, he brought a trophy, he said he will deliver in the second year and he did. 'But this is part of the job, we are responsible for the results and we are responsible for the development of the team so, whether we like it or not, sometimes it is us who has to take the full responsibility.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Thierry Henry's warning to Arsenal and Chelsea over signing 'amazing' £60m striker MORE: Man Utd legend backed to replace Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham MORE: 'I love that club so much' – Lille star wants Man Utd transfer
BBC News
10 hours ago
- BBC News
Preston sign Charlton's Small on four-year deal
Preston North End have signed defender Thierry Small from Charlton Athletic on a four-year 20-year-old joins after the two clubs agreed compensation ahead of the end of his contract later this moves to Deepdale off the back of winning promotion with the Addicks to the Championship through last season's League One signing for Preston, Thierry told the club website:, external "I'm over the moon. It's an exciting time, a big part of my career now, and I just can't wait to get started."Speaking with the manager here, I feel like this was the next step for me to take. For me, it's just to keep on learning, keep on developing and I feel like Preston's the best club for me to do that whilst helping the team and hopefully achieving some success."After coming through Everton's youth set-up, Small made his Toffees debut in the FA Cup as a 16-year-old and went on to join there he had spells on loan at Port Vale and St Mirren before joining Charlton in 2024 where he made 62 appearances for the club."Thierry's someone we were really keen to bring in and I think he's matched our enthusiasm by making the decision to sign," boss Paul Heckingbottom said."He wants to come here to work hard and keep improving his game. He's a player with real pace and power, who loves to get at his man one-v-one and get crosses into the box. I'm looking forward to seeing him in a PNE shirt."
