JOSH Murphy remains in Liam Manning’s plans for matchday squads despite not being named in one for any of the opening three league games of the season.

The 28-year-old winger has only featured in the Carabao Cup so far this campaign, playing just over half an hour in the 5-1 defeat at Bristol City after replacing Stanley Mills.

Oxford United head coach Manning has explained to Murphy that competition out wide will be tough this season, especially following the signature of Mills on loan from Everton.

Murphy was also hindered at the beginning of the campaign by a knock, although he has since returned to full fitness.

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Manning said: “I had an honest chat with Murph at the end of last season, in terms of explaining the situation that we would be bringing in players in wide areas.

“While he’s here, he’ll always be in contention to be in the squad and to play.

“He missed a couple of weeks with an injury and has been back the last couple of weeks training, but when you look at it, the players ahead of him at the minute have done extremely well.

“I’ve had numerous chats with Josh, and I’ve said if he’s here, then he’s in contention, but there’s a lot of competition in those areas.”

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