Striker Deane Smalley has followed midfielder Scott Davies in accepting his new contract at Oxford United. The former Oldham Athletic forward’s current deal expired at the end of the season, but has now put pen to paper on a further 12-month stay at the Kassam Stadium.

The 24 year-old joins ex-Crawley Town player Davies in signing a new one-year contract under Chris Wilder’s management, with the duo handed new contracts after twelve others were released earlier this month. Smalley was thought to have been brought to the Us for a fee in the region of £75,000 from Boundary Park, having previously helped Chesterfield to the League Two title whilst on-loan.

However, the striker only scored twice in 26 appearances for the Yellows before being loaned out to Bradford City for the remainder of his first campaign. This season saw Smalley scored 5 goals in 28 matches for United, despite a serious groin injury sidelining the forward for almost four months.

Meanwhile, one of the dozen players released from United this summer, Simon Heslop, has joined League One side Stevenage Borough as a free agent. The 26-year-old midfielder scored 7 goals in 90 appearances for Oxford since joining on a free transfer from Barnsley in 2010, but will now link up with Graham Westley in England’s third-tier of professional football.

Finally, Us boss Wilder has now become the fourth longest serving manager working in the top four divisions of English football after Tony Pulis’ departure from Stoke City yesterday afternoon. The 45 year-old manager moved up a place following the news at Brittania Stadium, and is only behind Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger, Paul Tisdale (Exeter City) and Greg Abbott (Carlisle United) in the standings.