MARK Sykes says there is no change to his contract situation as he focuses on Oxford United’s promotion push.

The midfielder is enjoying his best season with the U’s, but his current deal expires this summer.

Sykes last spoke publicly about his future at the start of January, saying it would be a ‘massive’ month for him and that his representatives were in constant contact with the club.

The 24-year-old insists that remains the case as he targets a strong end to the season for United.

Sykes said: “I’m pretty much in a similar position to even before January, just wanting to do the best I can for the club I’m at.

“I want to win as many games as possible for Oxford and if we were to get promoted this year it would be really positive for me and the club.

“It’s not a distraction, because there’s nothing else happening for me at the minute.

“I’m at Oxford and I’m here to get promoted.

“Come the end of the season we’ll see where we end up, but at the minute I want to do the best I can for this club.”

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United are fourth in Sky Bet League One with ten games of the season remaining, despite Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat at Portsmouth.

Sykes was not involved at Fratton Park after failing a fitness test over a chest injury that morning, but he travelled with the squad.

The Irishman had started 15 of United’s previous 16 matches dating back to early December as he cemented his place as a regular in the XI.

He was in prolific form around the turn of the year, scoring four times in five games, and was the subject of a deadline-day bid from League One promotion rivals Wigan Athletic.

Sykes has eight goals and three assists from 36 matches this season, primarily operating on the right of midfield or the right wing.

But in recent weeks he has impressed at wing back, adapting well to the position in the wins over Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic and Crewe Alexandra.

In January, United head coach Karl Robinson suggested retaining Sykes was a key objective.

He said: “We believe people like him need to be part of the football club moving forward.

“We want Mark Sykes to stay here for a long time.”

Sykes is one of nine senior players whose current terms expire this summer.

Robinson previously suggested Alex Gorrin would be offered a new deal as the midfielder continues to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

United have the option to extend the deals of captain Elliott Moore, another player currently sidelined with an ankle problem, and striker Sam Winnall.

James Henry, Billy Bodin, Sam Baldock, Anthony Forde and Jamie Hanson are also out of contract at the end of the season.