RYAN Clarke admits he would listen if the right opportunity came up this summer after being told he would not be certain of being Oxford United’s No 1 goalkeeper next season.

The squad’s longest-serving player, who joined in 2009, had an open discussion with head coach Michael Appleton after the end of the season.

The Oxford Mail reported yesterday Appleton had told Clarke, Max Crocombe and Jamie Ashdown, who is considering a contract offer, he did not know who would start the season in goal.

He also revealed while there was no problem over starting pre-season with three goalkeepers, by August one would have left – which would mean a loan or permanent transfer.

Clarke, who has one year remaining on his United contract, insisted he had never taken regular football for granted, but it was an important factor.

He said: “In the discussion I had with the manager at the end of the season he said he couldn’t guarantee me first choice.

“I’m 33, I feel like I’m peaking and the next few years are massive for me. I want to be playing.

“That doesn’t mean to say I wouldn’t back myself to do that at Oxford, but football can be strange sometimes.

“If an opportunity does come along it would be something I would have to look at, if it was right for me and my family.”

Appleton is keen to encourage as much competition for places as possible, but the move is likely to prompt interest from other clubs in Clarke.

Although the U’s boss said he would not stand in the way of anyone who was unhappy, last week chief executive Mark Ashton stressed no-one under contract has been made available.

He said: “You can never say never in this industry, but we’re not looking to move any of the others out at this point in time.”

For Clarke, there is no great desire to leave a club where he has made 267 appearances.

He said: “I’m not desperate to leave because I’m having a hell of a career here and I would love it to continue, but football can change massively in a short space of time.

“I have a year left on my contract and if nothing happens I’ll be back giving 100 per cent to fight for my position, as always, in pre-season.”