EARLIER this week, we picked out five free agent defenders who could add something to Oxford United’s squad.

Now it is time to look further up the pitch.

Below are five forward players who are available for free this summer, all released by Sky Bet League One clubs at the end of last season.

READ MORE: Five free agent defenders Oxford United could target this summer

The list features strikers, wingers and midfielders, with United arguably strongest in the latter area as things stand.

Cameron Brannagan, Marcus McGuane, James Henry, Alex Gorrin and Oisin Smyth are all contracted for next season, while Billy Bodin could also sign a new deal.

Ryan Williams and Marcus Browne are United’s only wide players, though, with the latter also able to operate through the middle as back-up to strikers Matty Taylor and Sam Baldock.

These are the five free agents we think could add quality and depth to Karl Robinson’s attacking ranks.

READ MORE: List of available League One players as clubs publish retained lists

SAIDO BERAHINO

The 28-year-old was released by Sheffield Wednesday last month, so will soon begin the next chapter of a career that promised so much.

Berahino scored 14 goals in the Premier League for West Bromwich Albion in 2014/15 and was prolific for England Under 21s, but has never kicked on.

That might be enough to set alarm bells ringing and former Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer felt the striker was ‘off the pace’ at Hillsborough.

Berahino’s time with the Owls was not a disaster, though, as nine goals and four assists in 36 appearances suggests.

At his age, he could still be a huge asset to a League One club if they can get the best out of him. Admittedly, it is a big if.

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HIRAM BOATENG

If Berahino is the biggest gamble on this list, Boateng might just be the safest bet.

It was a surprise to see the attacking midfielder released by MK Dons after he played 37 times last season to help them finish third in League One.

Boateng certainly caught the eye against United, scoring at Stadium:MK in December and impressing during the visitors’ dominant first half at the Kassam Stadium in April.

At 26, the former Crystal Palace trainee should be approaching his peak and is coming off the back of his first full season of regular League One football.

Boateng can play either side of a front three and down the middle, offering a versatility that should suit a U’s side which looks likely to switch formations during the coming campaign.

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GAVIN MASSEY

United need wingers and Robinson is never afraid to add to his options out wide. Massey could be a good bet, even though he is 30 in October.

The former Watford trainee has been released by League One champions Wigan Athletic, ending his five-year spell at the DW Stadium.

Only nine of Massey’s 33 third-tier appearances last season were starts which puts him in the 'squad player' bracket, but he adds several useful qualities.

The 29-year-old has twice won promotion from League One so knows how to climb out of the division and mix it in the Sky Bet Championship.

While mainly used as a winger, Massey’s energy could make him an option at wing back having occasionally been deployed at full back last season.

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JAMES NORWOOD

United have reportedly been interested in the striker before, so it would be no surprise if they are monitoring his situation as he gets set to leave Ipswich Town.

The U’s were linked with Norwood before the January transfer window, but he stayed at Portman Road following Paul Cook’s sacking.

The 31-year-old featured much more regularly after Kieran McKenna arrived as manager and scored six goals in 22 games from December onwards.

Norwood is the wrong side of 30, but his track record – including at Forest Green Rovers alongside United No 9 Taylor – makes him an attractive prospect on a free transfer.

It might depend on whether he is willing to be rotated. If so, he would be an excellent option to complement Taylor, Baldock and Browne.

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CONNOR WICKHAM

The 29-year-old is another striker who has an impressive CV but would be something of a risk.

Wickham was released by MK Dons last month after finding game-time hard to come by under Liam Manning – a familiar story for the former England Under 21 international.

The forward has not played too much in recent seasons, having struggled to piece together a run of matches since sustaining a long-term knee injury with Crystal Palace back in 2016.

Clearly, Wickham would not be United’s first-choice striker – not that they need one – but could be a decent option off the bench. Again, it may depend on whether he is happy with that.

There are parallels with Sam Winnall here, after the striker joined the U’s with plenty of pedigree but short of match practice. That did not work out and could be a cautionary tale.