Burns Skippers as Blues Face Oxford
Saturday, 1st Aug 2026 11:37

Town have named a mixed XI for the first of today’s two friendlies at Oxford United.

Kayne van Oevelen is in goal with Chieo Ogbene the right-back with Ben Johnson at left-back and Corbin Mthunzi and Cedric Kipre the centre-halves.

The midfield pairing seems likely to be 18-year-old Charlie Compton and Sindre Walle Egeli with the trio ahead of them Wes Burns, who skippers, Jack Clarke and Kasey McAteer. Chuba Akpom is the striker.

Youngsters Frankie Runham, Fin Barbrook and Luca Fletcher join sub keeper David Button on the bench.

A stronger line-up is set to face Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park at 4pm.

Oxford, who were relegated from the Championship last season, include former Blues left-back Greg Leigh among their substitutes.

Town: Van Oevelen, Ogbene, Mthunzi, Kipre, Johnson, Compton, Walle Egeli, Burns (c), J Clarke, McAteer, Akpom. Subs: Button, Runham, Barbrook, Fletcher.

Photo: Matchday Images

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Ryorry added 12:01 - Aug 1 Sounds like a fun mix! Intriguing 90 minutes coming up.
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JewellintheTown added 12:01 - Aug 1 Interesting choice & positions. Good for Wes to captain. Nice to see so many youngsters have a run out.
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Bazza8564 added 12:06 - Aug 1 It's interesting to hear Sindre has filled out a bit, I shall be interested to learn how he fairs in midfield, maybe thats the plan as a creative 8 this year
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TACKershaw added 12:36 - Aug 1 Do we know yet what the ‘stronger line-up’ for 4pm is?
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 12:51 - Aug 1 Interesting mix. Good to see several younger players getting a chance. One of them might just make the grade sooner rather than later.
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jas0999 added 12:54 - Aug 1 Interesting selection. Looks more like a reserve team to me. Very few starters against Sunderland you’d have thought.
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backwaywhen added 12:58 - Aug 1 0-0 HT
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Cervantes added 13:00 - Aug 1 I really want Fin Barbrook to do well. I'd love to see him break through at some point.
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Wussinwhiteboots added 13:21 - Aug 1 1-0 Oxford
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DeliasMashedPotato added 13:29 - Aug 1 2-0 oxford
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TimmyH added 13:32 - Aug 1 Sounds like the players are still on the beach...as Jas says you'd think a majority of those wouldn't be starters come the Prem season.
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John4Bettina added 13:32 - Aug 1 2-0 to Oxford https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/p
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Wussinwhiteboots added 13:55 - Aug 1 If our line up is meant to be showing off their qualities to secure loans to league one clubs they have been completely out shone by the kids of Oxford, who have confirmed their squad is good enough for league one. They should give a good showing against Orient in mid week. As far as town fans are concerned, there's nothing to see here.
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