LIAM Manning says that for the time being, he is happy with his midfield options and sees no need to bring in an enforcer in the middle of the park.

Oxford United’s signing of Josh McEachran leaves Manning with four central midfield options going into next season, alongside Cameron Brannagan, Marcus McGuane and Oisin Smyth.

READ ALSO: What will Mark Harris add to Oxford United in the final third?

Meanwhile, Alex Gorrin – the most obvious candidate to play in a defensive midfield role – is training with the U’s as he continues his rehab from a knee injury.

The 29-year-old suffered the injury during training in December and hasn’t played since.

The Spaniard, who is out of contract, is however nearing a return and is believed to be a few weeks away from full training.

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Asked by this newspaper whether the club needs a defensive midfield player, Manning responded that he was content with the options he currently has in the centre of the pitch.

United’s head coach highlighted the defensive improvement made under him after he took the job on March 11.

The U’s kept four clean sheets in Manning’s 10 games in charge last season, in no small part due to the improved solidity in midfield, as the side became less porous in the centre of the park.

On signing a defensive midfielder this summer, Manning said: “It was a discussion that we had at the end of last season – what profile do you go for? Ultimately, it’s looking at where you’re at in League One.

“I think if you go for an enforcer type, what you trade-off is someone that’s got quality generally in possession – someone that’s technically and tactically very good, and physically very good, and can destroy things.

“They tend to be at Premier League or Championship levels, and as you drop down, you have to accept people are going to trade-off certain things and certain areas of their game.

“If it comes up, it might be, but it’s not something that I think is essential right now when I look at Josh, Cam, Marcus and Oisin, and the blend and balance we’ve got in them four.

“The lads have shown, Cam and Marcus, and even Oisin, in the final 10 games that we were here last season, that defensively we didn’t have any issues.

“We defended really well and I think what we’ve got in Josh is someone that will play with a bit more discipline positionally but for me, one of the best link-up players, in terms of build-up and control with the ball, and his technical ability, that you’ll find at the level.

“It’s not something that we’re actively going to go out and look for or that I’m desperate to get in, I don’t think we need to – I’m quite happy with what we’ve got.”

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About the author

To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/

Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.

Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.

His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.