LIAM Manning says he will give Ed McGinty the chance to show what he is capable of during pre-season as the Oxford United boss juggles having three senior goalkeepers at the club.
Although Jack Stevens left for Cambridge United on an initial free transfer on June 21, James Beadle joined Manning’s side on a season-long loan from Brighton & Hove Albion two days later.
It leaves Manning with something of a selection headache, as three goalkeepers will be vying for the number one shirt.
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Last season, Simon Eastwood was United’s undisputed first choice, making 44 appearances, while McGinty was his back-up and played in 10 matches.
Three of those games came in Sky Bet League One, when Eastwood was sidelined with a calf problem.
Stevens spent the vast majority of the 2022/23 season on loan at fellow third tier side Port Vale.
Asked by this newspaper whether McGinty will be loaned out during the 2023/24 campaign, Manning responded: “It’s something that we’ll assess throughout pre-season.
“First and foremost, I want to give Ed the best opportunity and have a look at him.
“Since coming in, I’ve not seen him in any games so I want to do that and then it’ll be a decision we’ll make later in the pre-season.”
Discussing the wider goalkeeping situation, Manning is pleased with the qualities his three shot-stoppers possess and wants to see a healthy battle for a starting berth between them.
He said: “All over the pitch, we want competition. I think that’s really important.
“Of course, people carry credit from last season and what they’ve done to date in their career, but at the same point, that credit only lasts for so long.
“It’s about turning up and delivering day in, day out, and game in, game out.
“The goalkeeping situation is the same in terms of to scrap, to fight, to compete and earn the right to be number one.
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“What we’ve got in the three of them is a real blend of qualities.
“Easty’s a terrific character in terms of the standards and drive, but also the experience he’s got.
“I think we’ve got a good blend and good qualities across the three, and it’s ultimately about fighting it out.”
Of the club’s three goalkeepers, 34-year-old Eastwood is by far the most experienced, and has played 280 times for the U’s across a seven-year period.
McGinty, who turns 24 next month, singed for United on a three-year deal, with the option of an extra 12 months, from League of Ireland Premier Division side Sligo Rovers last summer.
Beadle turns 19 next week and played for England at this summer’s Under-20 World Cup. He impressed on loan at League Two side Crewe Alexandra last season, playing nine times until an ankle injury brought an end to his temporary spell.
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About the author
To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/
Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.
Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.
His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.
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