Squad: June 2026

[Scotimp]

Well, it has gone pretty much as expected so far: McKiernan, MJ and Ring out permanently, Gallagher and Okoro out on loan. I thought it would be Pardington on loan instead of Jeacock, but there is plenty of logic in sending out Jeacock to play games.

 

[Warren_Imp]

Well, it has gone pretty much as expected so far: McKiernan, MJ and Ring out permanently, Gallagher and Okoro out on loan. I thought it would be Pardington on loan instead of Jeacock, but there is plenty of logic in sending out Jeacock to play games.

I think Pardington will go out once we have a second choice, national league north or higher for a loan

 

[Scotimp]

Update following the arrival of Joe Gauci:

Goalkeepers: (3)
George Wickens, 24 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Jamie Pardington, 25 (June 2028)
Joe Gauci, 26 (season loan from Aston Villa)

Zach Jeacock, 25 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Northampton Town

Defenders: (11)
Andrei Coubiş, 22 (June 2031)
Ryley Towler, 24 (June 2030)
Deji Elerewe, 22 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Tom Hamer, 26 (June 2029)
Josh Honohan, 25 (June 2029)
Callum Elder, 31 (June 2028)
Sonny Bradley, 34 (June 2027)
Tendayi Darikwa, 34 (June 2027)
Adam Reach, 33 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Adam Jackson, 32 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Charlie Parks, 19 (June 2027 with two-year club option)

Central Midfielders: (4)
Ivan Varfolomeev, 22 (June 2029)
Conor McGrandles, 30 (June 2028 plus one-year club option)
Tom Bayliss, 27 (June 2028)
Dom Jefferies, 24 (June 2028)

Oisín Gallagher, 21 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Barnet

Wingers: (2)
Oscar Thorn, 22 (June 2029)
Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, 28 (June 2027)

Strikers: (5)
Jack Moylan, 24 (June 2030)
Rob Street, 24 (June 2030)
Ben House, 26 (June 2028 plus option)
Freddie Draper, 21 (June 2028)
James Collins, 35 (June 2027) out until into 2026-27

Zane Okoro, 19 (June 2029) season loan to Tranmere Rovers

Total: 25
Contracted: 27
In on loan: 1
Out on loan: 3

Average age at 30 June 2026: 26 years, 11 months
excluding players out on loan.
.

 

[57harry]

Well its fair to say we have too many defenders. (11)

 

[nlondonimp]

Well it’s fair to say we have too many defenders. (11)

IApparently we are aiming for 2 first team ready in each position. If we want the option to play 5 at the back, take out parks and you have ten (six centre backs, 4 full backs/wing backs).

 

[gijsbert_bos]

I expect Pardington, Parks and Jackson all to be moved on (loan for the first two, loan or permanent for Jacko). You also have to think Bayliss as well once we strengthen thay area. While he did a decent job when asked last year, he doesn't really fit in our systems

 

[bristolimp]

I expect Pardington, Parks and Jackson all to be moved on (loan for the first two, loan or permanent for Jacko). You also have to think Bayliss as well once we strengthen thay area. While he did a decent job when asked last year, he doesn't really fit in our systems

With Bayliss not sure he would sign a long term deal if he were about to get shipped out he is too old to be a promising youngster

 

[Luke Imp]

I would be absolutely gobsmacked if Jackson is in the squad for Derby or Portsmouth, never mind here at the end of the transfer window.

 

[gijsbert_bos]

With Bayliss not sure he would sign a long term deal if he were about to get shipped out he is too old to be a promising youngster

More likely moved on to a L1 side for a free/modest fee, or possibly a season-long loan to get the wage (or some of it) off the books for the year and sell in Jan or next summer. He signed his new 3yr contract a year ago, when the club probably thought we would be in L1 for another couple of years at least.

 

[Judealt09]

I think a question that needs asking is with this many defenders (11), how are we going to set up defensively?
We utilised a 3-back in a few fixtures last season, most memorably in the 2-0 win away at Cardiff, It’s a formation that we have used often against sides that are positive with the ball and keen on having possession - something that we’ll likely face more in the championship.
It also means that we’re fielding 5 defensive players with a rwb and a lwb.

 

[gijsbert_bos]

I think you're probably right on the most likely formation. If we do play with a back 3/5, we will need those two wing backs to really get up and down, as they will provide the width up front. I would expect us to sub the starters off in most games to make sure we have plenty of energy there, especially given the age of Reach and Darikwa.

I'd like to think Ivan will be starting, though.

Has there been any more news on Jamie Allen or Diakité?

 

[Impish]

I think you're probably right on the most likely formation. If we do play with a back 3/5, we will need those two wing backs to really get up and down, as they will provide the width up front. I would expect us to sub the starters off in most games to make sure we have plenty of energy there, especially given the age of Reach and Darikwa.

I'd like to think Ivan will be starting, though.

Has there been any more news on Jamie Allen or Diakité?

Diakité looks like he is off to Schalke 04 according to Gary from the SW.

 

[gijsbert_bos]

Diakité looks like he is off to Schalke 04 according to Gary from the SW.

A shame as he looked like a good fit for us, but he clearly didn't want to come here, so no point forcing the issue! Hopefully we have an alternative lined up.

 

[gijsbert_bos]

Also, I never would have thought we would be competing with bloody Schalke for signings.

 

[Scotimp]

Update following the contract extensions for Freddie Draper, Reeco Hackett and Dom Jefferies:

Goalkeepers: (3)
George Wickens, 24 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Jamie Pardington, 25 (June 2028)
Joe Gauci, 26 (season loan from Aston Villa)

Zach Jeacock, 25 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Northampton Town

Defenders: (11)
Andrei Coubiş, 22 (June 2031)
Ryley Towler, 24 (June 2030)
Deji Elerewe, 22 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Tom Hamer, 26 (June 2029)
Josh Honohan, 25 (June 2029)
Callum Elder, 31 (June 2028)
Sonny Bradley, 34 (June 2027)
Tendayi Darikwa, 34 (June 2027)
Adam Reach, 33 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Adam Jackson, 32 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Charlie Parks, 19 (June 2027 with two-year club option)

Central Midfielders: (4)
Dom Jefferies, 24 (June 2029)
Ivan Varfolomeev, 22 (June 2029)
Conor McGrandles, 30 (June 2028 plus one-year club option)
Tom Bayliss, 27 (June 2028)

Oisín Gallagher, 21 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Barnet

Wingers: (2)
Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, 28 (June 2029)
Oscar Thorn, 22 (June 2029)

Strikers: (5)
Freddie Draper, 21 (June 2030)
Jack Moylan, 24 (June 2030)
Rob Street, 24 (June 2030)
Ben House, 26 (June 2028 plus option)
James Collins, 35 (June 2027) out until into 2026-27

Zane Okoro, 19 (June 2029) season loan to Tranmere Rovers

Total: 25
Contracted: 27
In on loan: 1
Out on loan: 3

Average age at 30 June 2026: 26 years, 11 months
excluding players out on loan.
.

 

[Scotimp]

Update following the departure of Jack Moylan:

Goalkeepers: (3)
George Wickens, 24 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Jamie Pardington, 25 (June 2028)
Joe Gauci, 26 (season loan from Aston Villa)

Zach Jeacock, 25 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Northampton Town

Defenders: (11)
Andrei Coubiş, 22 (June 2031)
Ryley Towler, 24 (June 2030)
Deji Elerewe, 22 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Tom Hamer, 26 (June 2029)
Josh Honohan, 25 (June 2029)
Callum Elder, 31 (June 2028)
Sonny Bradley, 34 (June 2027)
Tendayi Darikwa, 34 (June 2027)
Adam Reach, 33 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Adam Jackson, 32 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Charlie Parks, 19 (June 2027 with two-year club option)

Central Midfielders: (4)
Dom Jefferies, 24 (June 2029)
Ivan Varfolomeev, 22 (June 2029)
Conor McGrandles, 30 (June 2028 plus one-year club option)
Tom Bayliss, 27 (June 2028)

Oisín Gallagher, 21 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Barnet

Wingers: (2)
Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, 28 (June 2029)
Oscar Thorn, 22 (June 2029)

Strikers: (4)
Freddie Draper, 21 (June 2030)
Rob Street, 24 (June 2030)
Ben House, 26 (June 2028 plus option)
James Collins, 35 (June 2027) out until into 2026-27

Zane Okoro, 19 (June 2029) season loan to Tranmere Rovers

Total: 24
Contracted: 26
In on loan: 1
Out on loan: 3

Average age at 30 June 2026: 27 years, 0 months
excluding players out on loan.
.

 

[Scotimp]

Update following the arrival of Mason Melia:

Goalkeepers: (3)
George Wickens, 24 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Jamie Pardington, 25 (June 2028)
Joe Gauci, 26 (season loan from Aston Villa)

Zach Jeacock, 25 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Northampton Town

Defenders: (11)
Andrei Coubiş, 22 (June 2031)
Ryley Towler, 24 (June 2030)
Deji Elerewe, 22 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Tom Hamer, 26 (June 2029)
Josh Honohan, 25 (June 2029)
Callum Elder, 31 (June 2028)
Sonny Bradley, 34 (June 2027)
Tendayi Darikwa, 34 (June 2027)
Adam Reach, 33 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Adam Jackson, 32 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Charlie Parks, 19 (June 2027 with two-year club option)

Central Midfielders: (4)
Dom Jefferies, 24 (June 2029)
Ivan Varfolomeev, 22 (June 2029)
Conor McGrandles, 30 (June 2028 plus one-year club option)
Tom Bayliss, 27 (June 2028)

Oisín Gallagher, 21 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Barnet

Wingers: (2)
Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, 28 (June 2029)
Oscar Thorn, 22 (June 2029)

Strikers: (5)
Freddie Draper, 21 (June 2030)
Rob Street, 24 (June 2030)
Ben House, 26 (June 2028 plus option)
James Collins, 35 (June 2027) out until into 2026-27
Mason Melia, 18 (season loan from Tottenham Hotspur)

Zane Okoro, 19 (June 2029) season loan to Tranmere Rovers

Total: 25
Contracted: 26
In on loan: 2
Out on loan: 3

Average age at 30 June 2026: 26 years, 8 months
excluding players out on loan.
.

 

[JohnGee]

Does anyone know when squad numbers are due for release this season, or are we waiting for more incomings and outgoings....?

 

[Scotimp]

Update following the departure on loan of Oscar Thorn:

Goalkeepers: (3)
George Wickens, 24 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Jamie Pardington, 25 (June 2028)
Joe Gauci, 26 (season loan from Aston Villa)

Zach Jeacock, 25 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Northampton Town

Defenders: (11)
Andrei Coubiş, 22 (June 2031)
Ryley Towler, 24 (June 2030)
Deji Elerewe, 22 (June 2029 plus one-year club option)
Tom Hamer, 26 (June 2029)
Josh Honohan, 25 (June 2029)
Callum Elder, 31 (June 2028)
Sonny Bradley, 34 (June 2027)
Tendayi Darikwa, 34 (June 2027)
Adam Reach, 33 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Adam Jackson, 32 (June 2027 plus appearance trigger)
Charlie Parks, 19 (June 2027 with two-year club option)

Central Midfielders: (4)
Dom Jefferies, 24 (June 2029)
Ivan Varfolomeev, 22 (June 2029)
Conor McGrandles, 30 (June 2028 plus one-year club option)
Tom Bayliss, 27 (June 2028)

Oisín Gallagher, 21 (June 2029 plus one-year club option) season loan to Barnet

Wingers: (1)
Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, 28 (June 2029)

Oscar Thorn, 22 (June 2029) season loan to Colchester United

Strikers: (5)
Freddie Draper, 21 (June 2030)
Rob Street, 24 (June 2030)
Ben House, 26 (June 2028 plus option)
James Collins, 35 (June 2027) out until into 2026-27
Mason Melia, 18 (season loan from Tottenham Hotspur)

Zane Okoro, 19 (June 2029) season loan to Tranmere Rovers

Total: 24
Contracted: 26
In on loan: 2
Out on loan: 4

Average age at 30 June 2026: 26 years, 10 months
excluding players out on loan.
.

 

[Scotimp]

Four players out on loan, all in League Two. A product of our promotion, which has widened the gap to the first team for these players.