KARL Robinson wants to strike a deal with Oxford United’s key assets to keep them at the club for next season.

On top of a large group of players out of contract this summer, other star names are expected to attract attention this summer.

United turned down offers for midfielder Ryan Ledson and goalkeeper Simon Eastwood during the January transfer window from Sky Bet Championship clubs.

New boss Robinson faces a fight to keep hold of them, but is determined to retain the squad’s best talent for his first full season in charge.

He said: “We’ve got a goalkeeper and a midfield player who are top-drawer.

“You have to build a team around your best players, if you want to be successful.

“But you also have to understand that at some stage they have to go if you’re not successful.

“The objective has to be with these players – give me 12 months.

“If we’re all running at the same speed and challenging each other to get to the finish line, then we’re good for each other.

“It’s my job to make sure we make these players better and we run as fast as them to keep them moving forward at that speed.

“I will sit down with the players and be honest with them – I want them all here next year, you know which ones I’m on about.

“I want to build a team around these people and that is the exciting factor and some of the players are the reason I wanted to come here.”