DES Buckingham says he has heard nothing from the parent clubs of Oxford United’s loan stars, amid speculation of January recalls.

The Sheffield Star reported earlier this week that Sky Bet Championship side Sheffield Wednesday were considering a move for James Beadle, with fellow second tier outfit Birmingham City also credited with an interest in the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee.

Beadle has made a huge impression with the U’s this season, keeping nine clean sheets across 24 games in all competitions.

The 19-year-old has also offered United an alternative option within their playing style, with his ability on the ball and passing range seeing attacking moves start with the goalkeeper.

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In addition to Beadle, right back Fin Stevens and winger Stan Mills have enjoyed positive first halves of the season on loan from Brentford and Everton respectively.

Asked about the club’s loanees, U’s head coach Buckingham said he had heard nothing from their parent clubs, dismissing the rumours as speculation.

He said: “There’s nothing as far as I’m aware officially or unofficially that’s come across my desk or the recruitment desk.

“I’ve seen the reports, but it’s speculation. It’s good speculation because it means that the players that are on loan here are doing well.

“We can only offer the environment that we do, and give them the platform to play.

“They’re performing well and we hope that they’re happy here, and happy enough to stay here, both personally and the club that has loaned us those players.

“But we also need to make sure that we’re ready should something happen because we don’t have control of that.

“Joe Bennett was a perfect example of that. He’s one where we lost Greg Leigh for a period of time, and rather than panic, there was a plan in place that we’d already been tracking and monitoring certain players, and Joe was one of those, to bring in, and bring in quickly.

“He suited our style, and that’ll be the case for all our loanees. We don’t want to lose any of them of course, but you have to be ready should that happen.”

Oxford Mail:

Buckingham’s response echoes the one when asked about the loanees on BBC Radio Oxford’s The Dub podcast earlier this month.

He said at the time: “They’re here and playing extremely well in a team that’s trying to progress and have a successful season.

“Hopefully the way that they’re looked after here, the club that loans them to us can see how they’re developing and how they’re playing, so if there was an opportunity to be recalled, I’d like to think that they’d think twice because they see how well they are doing.

“Of course, we haven’t got too much control over that should they want to, but it’s about making sure when we look at recruitment and the work the recruitment team do, there’s succession planning and back-up plans.

“Should it happen, I’d like to think we’re as well-placed as we could be to make sure we cover ourselves quickly.”