Oxford United manager Darren Patterson has transfer-listed six first-team players in order to free up wages so that he can bring in new players. Defenders Matt Day, Alex Jeannin, and Michael Corcoran, midfielders Eddie Hutchinson and Carl Pettefer, and striker Rob Duffy have all been told that they are free to find another club during the January transfer window.[@player]corcoran, michael[/@player][@player]day, matt[/@player][@player]duffy, robert[/@player][@player]hutchinson, eddie[/@player][@player]jeannin, alex[/@player][@player]pettefer, carl[/@player]

The most surprising name on the list is, perhaps, that of Corcoran, who was signed permanently in the summer following a successful loan spell at the end of last season. Corcy has always done a good job when called upon in central defence, and many see him as a naturally gifted defender who can pass the ball well, but on the other hand the club does have a plethora of players in that position, including Chris Willmott, who may well be fit again soon, and Corcoran is likely to attract offers. Pettefer is also a surprise after he had a very successful season last year, but the former Southend United winger has struggled to maintain consistency this season, and the signing of Adam Murray will further limit Petts' chances.

Last season's leading scorer, and penalty-taker extraordinaire, Duffy is certain to be sought after, and as Patterson probably has another striker lined up once Duffy goes it is possible that he will not be missed, especially as he has been found wanting on more than one occasion. Hutchinson has failed to produce the form that he showed when at Brentford, and as he is probably one of the bigger earners at the club his presence on the list is no surprise, although his high wages may also be the stumbling block to any potential move.

Day has struggled to hold down a regular place since his arrival from Portsmouth, and is well down the pecking order. Jeannin has been very inconsistent since arriving from Hereford United in the summer. On his day he can deliver an excellent free kick, and is one of the best ball players at the club, but his day is far too infrequent and with Ben Weedon coming strongly through the ranks Patterson obviously feels that it is worth the risk to offload the temperamental Frenchman to free up the wages.

Until one of these six players leaves, we will not see any new faces arrive to spice up the squad, so it is a timely announcement as there are still two weeks before the transfer window closes. It is a risk, as the listed players may not be transferred and so could still be called upon to play throughout the rest of the season, and Hutchinson and Jeannin are contracted for next season too, so there could be question marks over their commitment. The next fortnight promises to be an interesting, if unsettling, time at Grenoble Road.