BAD NEWS— Oxford United Man Set for Temporary Exit

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

The 21-year-old started this campaign on loan in League Two, but his time there was cut short after he suffered an injury in November, forcing an early end to the spell.

Southend are once again aiming for a National League play-off place after finishing inside the top seven last season. However, a mix of injuries and a recent drop in form has slowed their progress, causing them to slip out of the play-off spots.

Oxford defender nearing National League comeback

Golding already has solid experience in the fifth tier after spending time on loan with Southend and Maidenhead last season, where he delivered impressive performances during both spells.

Because the defender was unable to recover in time to secure another EFL loan move, an opportunity to return to the National League emerged. Reports indicate that Golding has now agreed a deal to rejoin Southend for the remainder of the campaign.

Southend stepped up their search for defensive reinforcements after discovering that fellow centre-back Nathan Ralph will be out for a long period and requires surgery following an injury he sustained in a recent match.

The deal is expected to be a straightforward loan until the end of the season. Golding remains contracted to Oxford after signing a long-term agreement with the Championship club last summer.

Can Golding help fuel another play-off push?

Golding first caught attention during a loan spell at Maidenhead in the early part of last season before joining Southend in December 2024, where he quickly made his presence felt. He made 14 appearances and scored three goals as the team secured a play-off position.

During that stretch, he helped Southend keep four clean sheets, including in his first two matches, which played a key role in maintaining the club’s unbeaten league run at the time.

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

They currently sit just two points outside the top seven and still have three games in hand over the team above them. While they recorded a convincing win over a relegation-threatened opponent at the weekend, their recent results have been inconsistent.

Golding has made 15 appearances in all competitions this season but has not played since November, averaging only 48 minutes per match.

With Southend facing a busy run of five games in the next 19 days, concerns over his match fitness may arise. However, his previous experience with the club could prove vital as they attempt to reignite their push for a play-off place.