LIAM Manning says he will have talks with players away from Oxford United on loan in the near future.

The likes of goalkeeper Jack Stevens, striker Matty Taylor and winger Jodi Jones are among those enjoying temporary moves at other clubs.

Stevens has played 27 games for Port Vale since making the move back in August, while Taylor joined him at Vale on January’s deadline day, and has gone on to make six appearances.

Taylor scored his first goal for Vale during their 1-1 draw at Fleetwood Town last weekend, while Jones has received good reviews after joining Vanarama National League side Notts County in January.

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Stevens signed a new contract with the U’s prior to joining Vale on loan, and is therefore tied to the club until 2025, however it is a different picture for Taylor and Jones.

Both players see their United deals expire in the summer, although Jones’ contract includes a one-year option.

Manning was asked about the trio and whether they had a future at the club on BBC Radio Oxford’s Five Minute Fans Forum.

He said: “I’ve only been in three or four days, I’ve not spoken to any of them yet.

“I will do, I will reach out – it’s important I open a line of communication with them, so I’ll be in touch in the near future.

“In terms of would I want them in the squad, with the injuries we’ve got in the squad at the minute, of course I’d welcome some more quality and depth.

“Ultimately, my main energy has to go into the group we’ve got here and that are available for the game Saturday.

“Rightly so, that’s where all my energy and attention is at the minute but there’ll be discussions in the near future.

“They’re still under contract with the club so like I said, once I get in and settled a little bit, I will reach out.

“I think it’s important I do open that line of communication.”

Manning’s comments on the trio back up his response when asked about loan players earlier this week at his first press conference as U’s head coach.

He said on Monday afternoon: “Is it pressing right now to deal with? No, but of course I want to know how they’re getting on and understand how well they’re performing.

“They’ll be discussions that’ll happen later on down the line.”

Taylor’s deadline day move to Vale came as something of a shock, with the 32-year-old United’s seventh-highest goalscorer of all time.

He has netted 64 time for his hometown club but struggled this season, scoring just six times across all competitions.

Only three of his goals had come in League One, two of which were in the 4-0 thrashing of Vale at the Kassam Stadium in November.

Stevens was handed United’s No 1 shirt in the summer but did not feature in the opening three games of the season.

Prior to joining County, Jones made just eight appearances in all competitions following his summer move from Coventry City.