THE deadline for Oxford United to submit their retained list is fast approaching.

English Football League (EFL) rules state the U’s must tell players their final decisions by the third Saturday in May, which falls this weekend.

The EFL must be informed by the same date, but it does not necessarily mean United’s retained list will be revealed in the coming days.

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Clubs are under no obligation to share their decisions, although the league will publish all the lists by the second Saturday in June.

The bulk of United’s retained list is already clear, with the futures of two out of contract players confirmed yesterday.

Sam Baldock signed a two-year deal to boost the U’s firepower, while Mark Sykes’ expected departure to Bristol City was officially announced.

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United have already confirmed out of contract quartet Sam Winnall, Jamie Hanson, Leon Chambers-Parillon and Michael Elechi will leave the club this summer.

It leaves Alex Gorrin, Billy Bodin, James Henry and Elliott Moore as the only senior players whose futures have not been confirmed by the club.

Gorrin is the most intriguing, with Karl Robinson revealing back in December the Spanish midfielder would be offered fresh terms following a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury.

But reports in recent days have claimed several clubs are monitoring the 28-year-old’s situation, so his future remains uncertain.

Bodin has spoken before about his desire to be at United next season and the club have also made positive noises about keeping the attacking midfielder.

The U’s have the option to extend the deals of Henry and Moore by another year, with Robinson previously suggesting the clauses would be triggered for both players.

Slavi Spasov is also out of contract this summer, with the 20-year-old most recently on loan at North Leigh in Pitching In Southern League Division 1 Central.