JOHN Lundstram believes the giant strides made over the past two campaigns mean Oxford United will face a real battle to keep hold of Michael Appleton.

The U’s head coach has led his side to a promotion, two Wembley finals, a host of cup giant-killings and an eighth-place finish in Sky Bet League One – their first season back in the third tier of English football for 15 years.

While there is speculation over the future of a number of key United players, Lundstram says the most important person to retain is their manager.

Appleton was linked to the England Under 21 manager’s job earlier this season, and United’s skipper admits he would expect there to be interest from elsewhere.

“I would not be surprised at all,” he said.

“That’s what comes with doing well and it’s no secret just how good he is.”

He added: “The manager is the most important thing at this football club, without a shadow of a doubt.

“Without him we wouldn’t be where we are now.”

Lundstram was signed by Appleton in August 2015 and appointed captain last summer.

The 23-year-old has been a key part of United’s climb up the football pyramid.

But he insists the way it has been achieved, with an attractive style of play and recruitment of young talent, means their boss is likely to be highly sought-after.

“We won promotion last season and then in this one we got to the fifth round of the FA Cup, a Wembley final and that wouldn’t have been possible without him,” he said.

“His man-management has driven us forward and massive credit to him, he’s brought us a long way in the time he’s been here.”

Lundstram highlighted a moment when he was dropped by Appleton for an away match at Shrewsbury in November after struggling to recapture his impressive form from the previous season.

While not happy to be on the bench, the U’s skipper says the way the situation was handled worked as a huge positive.

“The gaffer left me out that day but spoke to me and said how much he backed me,” he said.

“He is a great man-manager and he knows exactly what you need as a player and a person.

“For him to take me aside and say to me what he did was just what I needed.

“It was a massive moment for me because since then I felt back to my old self.”