BAD NEWS— Oxford United Man Set for Temporary Exit

Centre-back James Golding is expected to leave his current Championship club and return on loan until the end of the 2025/26 season.

The 21-year-old began the campaign on loan in League Two, but the spell was cut short after he suffered an injury in November, forcing him to return earlier than planned.

Southend are once again pushing for a National League play-off spot after finishing in the top seven last season. However, injuries and a recent dip in form have slowed their progress, causing them to fall out of the play-off places.

Oxford defender set for National League return

Golding already has valuable experience in the fifth tier, having spent loan spells with Southend and Maidenhead last season where he impressed during both stints.

With the defender unable to recover in time to secure another EFL loan move, the chance to return to the National League opened up. Reports suggest Golding has now agreed to rejoin Southend for the remainder of the campaign.

The club stepped up their search for defensive cover after learning that fellow centre-back Nathan Ralph will face a lengthy spell on the sidelines and requires surgery following an injury picked up in a recent match.

The move is expected to be a simple loan deal until the end of the season. Golding remains under contract with Oxford after signing a long-term deal with the Championship side last summer.

Can Golding spark another play-off push?

Golding first attracted attention during an early-season loan at Maidenhead last year before joining Southend in December 2024, where he quickly made an impact. He featured 14 times and scored three goals as the team secured a play-off place.

During that period, he helped the side record four clean sheets — including in his first two games — which contributed to the club’s unbeaten league run at the time.

Southend have again worked themselves into play-off contention this season, although injuries and postponed fixtures have disrupted their momentum.

They currently sit two points outside the top seven and still have three games in hand on the side above them. Despite a convincing win over a relegation-threatened team at the weekend, their recent form has been inconsistent.

Golding has made 15 appearances across all competitions this season but hasn’t featured since November, averaging just 48 minutes per game.

With Southend facing a demanding schedule of five matches in the next 19 days, questions may arise about his match sharpness. However, his familiarity with the club could prove crucial as they look to revive their push for a play-off spot.