Oxford United boss on loan recalls for Brentford and Brighton stars

Brentford loanee Fin Stevens has been linked with a switch to Sky Bet Championship side Blackburn Rovers for the second half of the season, while last month, the Sheffield Star reported that second tier sides Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City were considering a move for James Beadle.

U’s head coach Buckingham said at the time of the Beadle rumours that there had been no sign of a recall from parent club Brighton & Hove Albion, and dismissed the link as speculation.

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After right back Stevens was linked with Blackburn in recent days, Buckingham again confirmed that there had been no word from any of the parent clubs of United’s loan stars.

He said after the late win at Charlton Athletic: “We’ve got no control over that. All we can do is offer them the platform to play, and play the type of football that we’re showing, and to compete and help us get there.

“If we can do that, then it’s up to the clubs whether they leave them with us or take them back, but what we need to be sure of, and we are in the background, is that if that happens at any point, we’re ready to move somewhere else.

“It’s a never-ending juggling act at times, but we haven’t got any word that’s going to happen as of yet.”

Fin Stevens is on loan from Brentford (Image: Mike Allen)

One potential indication that Brighton might not be recalling Beadle is that the club has already acted swiftly to bring back midfielder Jensen Weir and winger Jeremy Sarmiento from Blackpool and West Bromwich Albion respectively.

Although Weir struggled for game time at Blackpool, starting just four games in League One, Sarmiento made 20 appearances in the Championship for West Brom.

Beadle meanwhile has signed a new deal with the Seagulls until June 2028.

Buckingham said: “Beads has been very good, we’ve kept a few clean sheets in the last couple of weeks.

“We speak about the work rate of those in front of him, that limit the opportunities, but when they do break through, he makes big saves at important times.

“I think sometimes they go unrecognised for goalkeepers, but they certainly don’t go unrecognised in this group of players and staff.”

Brighton’s technical director, the former Everton and Rangers defender David Weir, told the club website: “James is having an excellent season and this new contract is a reward for his progress and hard work. 

“He has played for England up to Under-20, and has shown with his performances with England and with Oxford this season that he has a bright future ahead.”