Promising left winger Tom Winters was today released by Oxford United, despite having almost a month left on his three-month contract. The club released Winters now to give the former youth-team player the chance to find another club before the transfer deadline kicks in. Winters made just one full first-team appearance, against Exeter City in the LDV Vans Trophy in September 2004; a game in which he scored a second minute goal. Unfortunately, his time at the club has been blighted by injury and illness, which has taken a toll on his fitness, although he looked to be getting back to his best in the defeat at Banbury on Monday, his last game for the club.

United have signed forward Rob Duffy on a two-year contract. Duffy had a short spell at Stevenage Borough, prior to which he spent five seasons at Rushden & Diamonds, although his time there was punctuated by injuries, and he only scored four goals in 36 appearances. Despite that poor record, Duffy has impressed the United management during his trial, and he has scored three goals in four pre-season games, including two in a behind-closed-doors match against Brighton at Bisham Abbey.

Former Rage Online sponsee Chris Hackett has finally completed his protracted move to Millwall. Hackett had been frozen out at Hearts, but the management there had been creating difficulties for the pacey right winger in his attempts to leave the club. Meanwhile Craig Davies, the only British player plying his trade in Italy, has left Hellas Verona to join Wolves on a one-year loan. There may be an option for Wolves to sign Davies permanently, but this is unlikely as he has just had his contract with Verona extended until 2011. Another former United player whose contract has been lengthened by five years is Dean Whitehead, who today pledged his future to Sunderland despite transfer speculation linking Deano to Reading and Aston Villa. United will receive 25 percent of any fee that Sunderland receive for the midfielder.

Oxford United have announced that Phil Gilchrist will be the captain this season. Chris Hargreaves was last season’s skipper.