Oxford United today released three youth players, none of whom have been deemed worthy of a professional contract for next season. The three are goalkeeper James Foster, striker Chris Fower, and (most surprising of the lot) striker Alex Fisher. [@player]fisher, alex[/@player]Foster is currently playing at Abingdon United, while Fower has been on work experience at Milton United. Fisher is also on work experience, at Oxford City, and has been playing outstandingly well for the Hoops.

It's not all doom and gloom for United's youngsters though, as two players have been offered professional terms for next season. Right back Ian Sampson and midfielder Richard Groves have both impressed the powers that be enough to be taken on. As has ROS Declan Benjamin, who has been offered a deal until Christmas to show what he can do, given that he missed the first half of this season after breaking a leg.

As well as these three youngsters, Chris Wilder is trying to sign on some of United's current professionals for next season, with right back Damien Batt the first player targeted. Wilder is also known to be trying to tempt James Constable to stay with the club, and why wouldn't he? Wilder has also said that he'd like to keep Sheffield United's Adam Chapman if possible, while other players whose times with the club are due to end include Craig Nelthorpe, Shane Killock, Lewis Haldane, and Craig Farrell. It would be an interesting experiment if the club was to maintain some kind of personnel continuity going into next season.