Oxford United's Kent faces lengthy lay-off after ACL surgery
U's only summer signing before an EFL transfer embargo is now facing a lengthy recovery ahead of the new League One season.
Oxford United have confirmed defender Frankie Kent has undergone successful surgery after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
The 30-year-old centre-back became the club’s only summer signing before Oxford were placed under a transfer embargo by the English Football League earlier this month.
Oxford confirmed on Thursday, July 16, 2026, that Kent had undergone surgery following the injury, but the club has not provided an estimated return date.
The defender joined Oxford as a free agent after leaving Scottish Premiership side Hearts, having previously represented Peterborough United and Colchester United during his career.
Key summer arrival suffers early setback
Kent arrived at the Kassam Stadium as a key defensive addition ahead of Oxford’s return to League One.
The experienced centre-back brought a wealth of Football League experience, having played for Colchester, Peterborough and Hearts before making the move to Oxford.
His arrival became even more significant after the club’s transfer embargo restricted their ability to add to the squad during the summer window.
Kent and the rest of the Oxford squad had been stepping up preparations for the new season, with the players and head coach Aaron Ramsey currently in Spain for a pre-season training camp.
How long could Frankie Kent miss?
Oxford United have not confirmed how long Kent will be unavailable.
An ACL injury is one of the most serious injuries a footballer can suffer and usually requires a lengthy rehabilitation period. Players commonly spend around nine to 12 months recovering before returning to competitive action, although the exact timeframe depends on the individual recovery process.
If Kent follows a typical recovery timeline, he could miss a large part of the 2026/27 League One campaign.
Oxford prepare for new League One season
Oxford will begin their competitive schedule with an EFL Cup first-round tie against Leyton Orient on August 8, 2026.
Their League One campaign will then get underway a week later, when they host MK Dons in their opening league fixture of the season.