JUNIOR Brown and Michael Raynes have left Oxford United by mutual consent.

Brown has agreed a permanent deal at Mansfield Town and is due to be joined at Field Mill by Raynes, whose switch is yet to be finalised.

It is a return to the Stags for Brown, who joined them on a temporary basis in November, scoring once in five appearances before the loan expired last weekend.

It was enough for Mansfield player-manager Adam Murray, a former U’s midfielder, to agree a transfer for the 25-year-old until the end of the season, with the club having the option to extend his stay.

Brown was one of Michael Appleton’s first signings for the U’s, agreeing a 12-month deal in July after Fleetwood Town terminated his contract.

He was a regular early in the season, starting eight of the first nine games, but quickly fell out of favour.

Brown was substituted before half-time in the 1-1 draw at Southend United in September and started just one more game for the club, the 5-1 defeat at Cambridge United a month later.

Raynes looked set for a move to Hartlepool United for the start of the transfer window, but it broke down late last week.

The 27-year-old was pushed down the pecking order following Chey Dunkley’s arrival in November and wanted to move closer to his family in Manchester.

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