It has been a decent start to life back in the Championship for Oxford United.

The U’s were promoted from League One last season after beating Bolton Wanderers 2-0 in the play-off final at Wembley in May, and they are back in the second tier of English football for the first time in 25 years.

It was a busy summer at the Kassam Stadium as head coach Des Buckingham rebuilt his squad, and with Oxford not looking out of place in the Championship so far, it seems that he has done some good business.

Given the huge influx of new signings, and the fact that a number of key players signed new contracts following promotion, the U’s will be in a strong position heading into next summer.

However, there are still a handful of players who have entered the final year of their contracts, and we looked at who will be leaving the club next summer as things stand.

Simon Eastwood

Goalkeeper Simon Eastwood joined Oxford for the first time from Huddersfield Town in June 2010, before being released the following summer without making a first team appearance, but that would not be the end of his story at the club.

Eastwood returned to the Kassam Stadium from Blackburn Rovers in June 2016, and he was the U’s number one goalkeeper for a number of years before losing his place last season.

The 35-year-old is now Oxford’s third choice behind Jamie Cumming and Matt Ingram, and he was left out of their 25-man squad list submitted to the EFL, so with his contract expiring this summer, he looks likely to depart.

Ben Nelson

Oxford fought off competition from Championship rivals Bristol City and Portsmouth to sign defender Ben Nelson on a season-long loan from Leicester City this summer.

Nelson scored one goal in nine appearances in the Foxes’ title-winning campaign last season, but he has been allowed to depart temporarily to gain some crucial senior experience at the Kassam Stadium.

Given that Nelson only signed a new long-term contract at Leicester in December, the U’s are unlikely to be able to sign the 20-year-old on a permanent basis next summer, but they will be hoping he can help to keep them in the second tier this season.

Joe Bennett

After months as a free agent following his departure from Wigan Athletic, defender Joe Bennett joined Oxford in November, and he went on to make 22 appearances last season, including featuring in all three play-off games.

Bennett signed a new one-year contract at the Kassam Stadium this summer, and he began the season as the U’s first choice left-back, but after sustaining an injury, he is expected to miss the rest of 2024.

Whether Bennett is given a new contract may depend on how he recovers from his injury, while Jack Currie may be ready to compete for a starting spot next season after his loan spell at Leyton Orient, so the 34-year-old is facing an uncertain future.

Josh McEachran

Midfielder Josh McEachran made the move to Oxford from MK Dons last summer, reuniting with then manager Liam Manning after working with him previously at Stadium MK.

McEachran made 34 appearances in all competitions last season as the U’s won promotion, and he was rewarded for his performances with a new one-year contract this summer.

The 31-year-old will be fighting with Will Vaulks for his place in midfield this season, but he will be determined to prove his worth and earn another new deal at the Kassam Stadium.

Malcolm Ebiowei

Oxford signed winger Malcolm Ebiowei on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace this summer.

Ebiowei showed plenty of potential in the early stages of his career at Derby County, but he has found it tough since joining Palace in the summer of 2022, making just five appearances for the Eagles so far.

The 21-year-old has endured underwhelming loan spells with Hull City and RWD Molenbeek in recent years, but he will be looking to reignite his career at the Kassam Stadium.

Dane Scarlett

Striker Dane Scarlett joined Oxford on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

Scarlett spent the first half of last season on loan at Ipswich Town, but after failing to score in 12 appearances for the Tractor Boys, he returned to Spurs in January.

It could be tough for Scarlett to break into the U’s team this season ahead of the in-form Mark Harris, but after his disappointing spell at Portman Road last term, he will be desperate to make this loan move a success.