Ex-Luton boss Bloomfield in Oxford United talks

Former Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town boss Matt Bloomfield is in talks to become the new manager of Championship side Oxford United.

The 41-year-old is the clear favourite to take over from Gary Rowett, who was sacked before Christmas, reports BBC Radio Oxford.

Craig Short will remain in interim charge for the FA Cup third round tie at MK Dons on Friday evening (19:30 GMT).

Rowett was dismissed after a 1-0 defeat at Charlton Athletic on 20 December left the U's in the relegation zone above only Norwich City and Sheffield Wednesday, who have been docked 18 points after entering administration and cut adrift.

Short was put in temporary charge and won his first game at home to Southampton before suffering defeats by Swansea City and Ipswich Town.

Last Sunday's match at Sheffield United was postponed due to a frozen pitch, leaving the U's second from bottom in the table but with one game in hand on Norwich above them.

Bloomfield has been out of work since he was sacked as Luton boss in October.

The former Wycombe midfielder began his managerial career at Cambridge United before taking over from Gareth Ainsworth at Adams Park in 2023.

After leading the Chairboys to the League One automatic promotion places amid the challenge of big-spending Birmingham City and Wrexham, he left the club to take over at Luton in January.

But Bloomfield was unable to prevent the Hatters from suffering back-to-back relegations to the third tier and was dismissed after an underwhelming start to the season, with the club 11th in the table.