OXFORD United have released Nigel Jemson, the striker who hit 23 goals in the first season of his first spell with the club, but couldn't find the net in his second.

He joins goalkeeper Paul Lundin and midfielder Eddie Newton in heading for the exit door, with the Swede returning to his homeland and the ex-Chelsea star leaving to join a club in China.

United manager Denis Smith confirmed: "We've released Nigel Jemson. I had a chat with him the other night and told him we wouldn't be offering him anything for next season. "I'm now trying to get a meeting arranged with Firoz Kassam to see what my budget is and then I'll know what I can do with the other players. They've got to know soon - they've all got mortgages and families and need to know their futures."

Jemson scored a total of 33 goals in his first spell at the Manor from 1996-98.

One of the nine other out-of-contract players, skipper Les Robinson, has had his hand put into plaster. He broke the scaphoid bone in his hand a month ago and he will be in plaster for six to eight weeks.

Centre half Phil Whelan is about to have an operation on his broken nose, which he delayed until the end of the season, and United are waiting for the swelling in Neil McGowan's left leg to die down before putting him through any tests.

The Scottish defender damaged knee and ankle ligaments in the final game of the season at Millwall last Saturday.