DARRYL Eales has enthusiastically backed an idea to close the transfer window before the season starts, amid “unhelpful” speculation about Marvin Johnson’s future at Oxford United.

The EFL board announced yesterday the matter would be on the agenda when clubs meet next month.

It is well-timed for the U’s, who last week rejected an offer from Hull City for Johnson, while an approach for skipper Curtis Nelson from a Sky Bet League One club has also been turned down.

Eales had not seen the EFL’s proposal, but supports the plan.

“I would be such a fan of that,” he said.

“(The existing structure) means your best-laid plans are potentially being thrown into disarray once the season’s started.

“What I find strange is why all the activity is taking place now when we had the whole of July.

“I haven’t picked that news up, but my instinct is it’s a good idea, because it just stops all this.

“From my point all of it is just so unhelpful.

“The trouble I have with all of this is none of the players are for sale, so any speculation can only be negative in terms of squad cohesion and morale.

“It takes the edge off, without getting carried away, a pleasing start to the season and a lot of optimism.

“For me, roll on August 31. I’ll be delighted if I receive no more phone calls or emails.”

The latest rumour about Johnson is that the 26-year-old had told boss Pep Clotet he wanted to leave, with Hull reportedly preparing a second approach.

As far as Eales is concerned, there is nothing in the speculation, but he reiterated his position.

He said last night: “Pep hasn’t said that to me.

“It’s academic anyway, because other than the offer from Hull there haven’t been any more (for Johnson).

“We’ve got a recruitment meeting tomorrow where I suspect Pep’s view is we haven’t got time to replace Marvin, so we’ll keep him, almost come what may.”

He added: “We’ve had one enquiry about Curtis, but it’s from a League One club, so that was dead easy.

“I’ll tell you what, they’re lower in the table than us.”

The timing is vital, when compared with Kemar Roofe’s £3m move to Leeds United 13 months ago.

Eales said: “Kemar was done early enough and quickly enough to enable us all to shake hands as grown-ups when we got it through.

“We had the time to find a different solution.

“I know Pep’s strong preference is to keep the current squad together.

“I suspect he’ll have a conversation with me about whether we can attract a couple of players from a position of strength, which I’m open-minded about.

“At the recruitment meeting I suspect 90 per cent of the debate will be about if there are players we can still bring in.”

l XEMI and James Roberts were on target as Oxford United’s development side won a friendly 2-1 against AFC Wimbledon at Roman Way.

Kane Hemmings and Dwight Tiendalli also featured as they got closer to full fitness.