DES Buckingham has addressed speculation surrounding the futures of James Beadle and Elliott Moore after the duo were absent from Oxford United’s squad for the defeat at Coventry City in the Emirates FA Cup.

Beadle has previously been linked with a loan recall from parent club Brighton & Hove Albion, prior to a switch to a Sky Bet Championship side in the second half of the season, while Moore has been mooted as a possible target for Plymouth Argyle.

U’s head coach Buckingham dismissed the Moore rumour, however was less certain on the future of Beadle in the United goal.

Asked whether Beadle’s absence from this afternoon’s matchday squad was an indication his time with the U’s may have come to an end, Buckingham responded: “It’s a sign, but we’ve got things in hand with James. I can’t speak more on it at the moment, but there’s nothing done with him in that space yet.

“We’re covered should anything in that space move.”

On Moore, the United boss added: “I can 100 per cent confirm that Elliott is absent with illness. I’ve heard there’s a trigger in his contract, which isn’t true – he has no trigger.

“There’s no interest that’s come across my desk or the recruitment desk.

“Elliott Moore is 100 per cent sick, and in the last 24 to 48 hours, we’ve had a member of staff go down with Covid, Elliott sick and our training ground flooded pretty substantially.”