Pundit tips L1 star to replace Jack Clarke at Sunderland or Chris Willock at QPR | OneFootball

Oxford United have been one of League One's strongest outfits across the season, but could be set to lose key players if they miss out on promotion via the play-offs, with Josh Murphy a potential departure this summer.

Murphy has previously graced the higher echelons of English football, where his twin brother Jacob now finds himself at Newcastle United in the Premier League.

His first season at the Kassam Stadium after signing a two-year contract wasn't particularly impressive, featuring just 23 times all season - only ten of which were starts, registering no goals and just three assists.

It took the Norwich City academy graduate some time to get going this campaign as well, due to an injury-hit period between late December and early February. However, since his return, the 29-year-old has been in red-hot form for the play-off chasers.

In 32 appearances this term, he has eight goals and five assists, but nine of those contributions have come during the last 12 appearances for the Oxford winger.

Murphy was a well-established Championship player earlier on in his career with Norwich and Cardiff City, as well as during a loan spell at Preston North End.

However, he could soon be on his way back to the second tier based on a recent report by the Sun, who state that Sunderland and QPR sent scouts to the 5-0 success for Oxford on Saturday, alongside a handful of other Championship sides.

Carlton Palmer's Josh Murphy verdict

QPR could be set to lose Chris Willock this summer, with their winger out of contract this summer, whilst Sunderland's Jack Clarke is of interest to a number of top-flight clubs.

Ex-England international, Carlton Palmer, can therefore see the logic in looking at Murphy, given that it would be a cost-effective signing for both sides in helping offset against those losses.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, he said: "QPR have joined the list of clubs interested in Josh Murphy.

"It's also believed that Sunderland are keen on Murphy, who could be an ideal replacement for Jack Clarke.

"Clarke will undoubtedly leave the club in the summer. His agent, Ian Harte, has made that clear that he will move on to pastures new. "While we know that QPR are looking at Murphy as an ideal replacement for Chris Willock. "He's got Championship pedigree, and he's now having a fantastic season, the Oxford winger. "He's available on a free transfer, he's experienced at 29 - but you know he can, and has, done it at that level. "It would be a good bit of business, on a free transfer as I say, for QPR, as would it for Sunderland. "I don't know whether he would fit into Sunderland's criteria, though. They like to sign young players and sell them for big transfer fees. "So he wouldn't fit into the model that Sunderland are looking for, or what they have put in place in the past, but I do think it would be a great signing for either football club.

Josh Murphy's next career move

Murphy may have taken his time to get going this season, but has proven that, with a consistent run of games, he is a player too good for the third tier of English football.

A Championship move is most logical for the Oxford man, but perhaps to teams with modest ambitions next term, as opposed to sides potentially looking to make the step to the Premier League.

In the case of Sunderland, they could well sign a player of Murphy's talents as a squad player, but will be expecting a level above when it comes to sourcing a replacement for Clarke.

QPR appear to be a side on the rise under Marti Cifuentes, but would be a natural fit for Murphy - a transitional and counter-attacking winger - if they were to lose Willock this summer.