CAMERON Brannagan says he wants a ‘big season’ with Oxford United as he enters his sixth full campaign with the club.

The 27-year-old midfielder, who joined the U’s from Liverpool in January 2018, has been a key player under both Karl Robinson and now Liam Manning.

Brannagan has made 239 appearances for United, with his importance demonstrated by twice being included in the PFA League One Team of the Year.

Last summer, he turned down a move to Blackpool – at the time a Sky Bet Championship side – and signed a new three-year deal with the U’s.

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After helping secure third tier safety for United last season, Brannagan is now solely focused on ensuring the club improves on the previous campaign and pushes back into the top six.

He said: “I’ve been here now for a long time and I love the club. It’s a responsibility that I enjoy and I want a big season.

“I want to push myself and help the team as much as I can. I’m more than ready.”

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Alongside Brannagan is set to be a new midfield partner this season, with summer signing Josh McEachran starting in a double pivot with the U’s No 8 in the pre-season victories against both Swansea City and Queens Park Rangers.

McEachran, 30, arrives with an impressive pedigree and experience higher up the football pyramid, having played 22 times for Chelsea as a youngster, while enjoying permanent stints in the Championship with Brentford and Birmingham City after leaving Stamford Bridge.

“Josh is a player that’s been at the top. He’s a very good player and makes the game easier for everybody else,” said Brannagan.

“He’s a very good player and it’s a joy to play with him, and long may it continue.”

Brannagan opened the scoring in the 5-0 thrashing of QPR, as United rounded off pre-season in style.

“The gaffer’s given me the freedom. You can see I was in and around the box, and I got my goal,” he said.

“It’s something that we’ve spoken about and that I’m working on, and loving my time here like I always have.

“If I can get forward and help the team, that’s the main goal.

“You need healthy competition and to be pushing everybody for places.

“Everybody’s pushing each other and that’s what you need for a good squad.”

Looking ahead to the season opener away to Cambridge United on Saturday, Brannagan said: “There’s no easy game in League One, I’m not going to sit here and say you can roll and turn over anybody. It doesn’t work like that.

“You respect the opposition and anybody you come up against, and Saturday will be a very tough game.

“But we want to work on what we’ve worked on in pre-season, and hopefully that can get us the right result.”

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