Oxford Utd

Haldane set for Oxford loan move
Bristol Rovers winger Lewis Haldane has been told he still has a future at the club even though he is set to join Oxford United on a year-long loan. The 23-year-old started 22 league games last season, but the signing of Jeff Hughes from Crystal Palace is likely to restrict his first-team chances. "It's by no means the end of his Rovers career," first-team coach Paul Trollope told BBC Radio Bristol. Oxford have confirmed that Haldane has passed a medical at the Kassam Stadium. The Wales Under-21 international has two years left on his Rovers contract.

Trainer suffers freak injury blow
Oxford United midfielder Phil Trainer could be out for three months after breaking a metatarsal bone in his foot. Trainer, who turned professional with Oxford after joining from Moor Green last summer, suffered the injury in a freak training ground incident. The 27-year-old told BBC Oxford: "I was back-pedalling and the blades on my boot got caught in the turf. "We're looking at three months. If it heals properly it could be a bit less, so fingers crossed."

Oxford release Husbands & Davies
Oxford United have released Rob Davies and Michael Husbands after their short-term deals expired. It is believed boss Darren Patterson has released the pair as he is trying to bring in additions ahead of Saturday's game at Ebbsfleet. Patterson told the club's website: They are both great lads and we hope they get sorted out with clubs." Meanwhile U's youngster Sam Deering will be unavailable this weekend after suffering an asthma attack. The 18-year-old spent the night in hospital under observation but has now returned home.

Oxford boosted by Trainer return
Oxford United midfielder Phil Trainer is set to make his return from injury in a friendly on Wednesday at Hellenic League side Kidlington. Trainer, who turned professional with Oxford after joining from Moor Green in 2007, broke a metatarsal in a freak training ground incident in July. But United are sweating on the results of a scan on Jamie Guy's ankle injury. The 21-year-old striker, on-loan from Colchester sustained the problem during training earlier this week.

Patterson relief at Cambridge win
Oxford United manager Darren Patterson has spoken of his delight and relief after his side's emphatic 3-1 win over Cambridge on Tuesday. The former Northern Ireland international had been under pressure after the U's had dropped to 20th in the Blue Square Premier table. Patterson told BBC Oxford: "It was much needed. We aren't getting carried away it is only three points. "But it was one we really needed. I am pleased for my players." Despite the euphoria surrounding the victory, Patterson is determined that the result is used as a stepping stone to improve the club's league position. "It is not good enough, we are under no illusions about that. But I am really happy for the lads, they are an honest bunch and they now know what they need to do." The U's, who ended a winless run of 10 games on live television with the victory, would have dropped into the relegation places if they had not won on Tuesday.

We must keep winning - Patterson
Oxford United manager Darren Patterson has insisted his side must continue to get winning results after a morale boosting victory over Rushden. United's 2-1 win at the Kassam Stadium has lifted the U's to 18th in the table and Patterson told BBC Oxford that his players must now push on. "We have to build on that in two difficult away trips and get as many points as we can," he said. "We don't play like a team that's down there. We create chances." Patterson has also praised the club's supporters who have stuck with the team despite a poor start to the campaign. "We need to show the consistency for our fantastic support. They turn up in their numbers and droves, and if we show that consistency we are capable of I know they will continue to do that."

Oxford need steady ship - Thomas
Oxford United's new chairman Kelvin Thomas says he has been able to steady the ship in his early days in the role at the Kassam Stadium. "We have broken through a few barriers and I think we are going to be all right," he told BBC Oxford. "I'm not sure there's been any good financial news in the world, but we are getting over the hurdles." Thomas replaced outgoing chairman Nick Merry earlier this month amid fears about cash flow. Oxford are now in their third season outside the Football League since being relegated in 2006. With a third of the Blue Square Premier programme gone, they currently lie 19th - just a point away from the danger zone.

Thomas good for Oxford - Basham
Former Oxford United striker Steve Basham believes new chairman Kelvin Thomas can give the club the stability they need. Thomas took over from Nick Merry earlier this month and Basham told BBC Oxford that the switch will help United through their financial problems. "Initially I was disappointed to hear Nick had stepped down. But it is good news that Kelvin has come back in. "He is a very clever man and I am sure he will give them stability," he said. The Exeter forward, 30, made 187 first-team appearances for the U's between August 2002 and July 2007.

Clarke X-ray news boosts Oxford
Oxford United have received a boost with the news that James Clarke has not broken his leg as had been feared. The defender still faces a spell out of action after being stretchered off in the FA Cup win over Hayes & Yeading. X-rays have revealed there was no break as a result of a late challenge from visiting striker Will Hendry. Saturday's match, which was already in injury time, was held up for almost five minutes while a splint was fitted to the 19-year-old's lower leg. Clarke has been told by doctors that he is fortunate not to have suffered a fracture.

Chairman backs Deering to succeed
Oxford United chairman Kelvin Thomas has backed teenager Sam Deering to be success after giving the 17-year-old winger a two-and-a-half-year contract. The east-Londoner has impressed since breaking into the first team and Thomas told BBC Oxford he has the ability to make it as a professional. "He has a little bit of flair about him and a tremendous heart," said Thomas. "He's a small lad but he makes up for it with his effort. When he gets the ball he gets people off their seat." Deering is a product of Oxford United's youth system and Thomas was delighted to be able to offer him a professional contract. "We are very excited about it," Thomas explained. "Sam has come in and done really well. He has excited the crowd and they have taken to him. We are excited to be able to offer him a deal and tie up one of our assets."

Patterson aims for winning habit
Oxford manager Darren Patterson has said he wants his side to maintain their winning habit against Forest Green regardless of the side he picks. The U's travel to the New Lawn in the third round of the Setanta Shield on Tuesday, with Patterson expected to rotate his squad. He told Oxford: "Tuesday night is a game of football we will be looking to go and win whatever side I put out. "Winning is a habit and it is the best feeling in the world." Saturday's 1-0 over York was United's third consecutive victory in league and cup.

Patterson welcomes second chance
Oxford United boss Darren Patterson admitted he was relieved that his team have been given a second chance to see off Dorchester in the FA Cup. "We are still in the hat. That's the positive," he told BBC Oxford after Saturday's goalless draw. "We are very capable of going there and winning, and we will," Patterson added. Dorchester had a stoppage-time goal disallowed and so the game will now have to be replayed on Tuesday, 18 November at the Jewson Stadium. The winners of the replay will be away to Torquay United.

U's will not rush appeal decision
Oxford United chairman Kelvin Thomas says the club will not be rushed into a snap decision to appeal the five-point deduction and fine imposed upon them. The club received news of the punishment for fielding an unregistered player at a Football Conference hearing in Birmingham on Monday. "We'll give ourselves a bit of time. There is a lot of raw emotion about the decision," Thomas told the BBC. Oxford were punished for fielding Eddie Hutchinson without proper registration. Thomas added: "We have requested a written explanation of the panel's decision. We will wait to see what the reasons are. Then we can make a clear judgement going forward." The five-point deduction dropped the U's from 11th to 14th in the Blue Square Premier table, and 12 points from the play-offs - if a similar punishment against Crawley is upheld.

Oxford to decide appeal on Monday
Oxford United have said they will decide on Monday whether or not to appeal against their five-point deduction by the Football Conference. Monday is the deadline for a decision after the punishment was handed down for fielding an unregistered player. "We have been thinking long and hard about the appeal," said chairman Kelvin Thomas in a statement. "We have received the written reasons for the decision and we will make a final decision by the deadline." He added: "We welcome the Conference's decision to review their own procedures with an administrative review sub-committee. "If, after Monday, we decide against an appeal we will be giving our fans an account of the events, so they can understand our decision making process. "If, however, we do decide to appeal then we will have to wait until that process is complete before our version of events can be made public."

Farrell eager to start for Oxford
On-loan striker Craig Farrell has said is keen to prove he is worth a regular starting place at Oxford United after limited opportunities at York City. The 26-year-old came off the bench to score in United's last game against Barrow and he is keen to show what he is capable of over 90 minutes. "The situation I have been in over the last few months has been frustrating," he told BBC Oxford. "I enjoy playing and every moment on the pitch is valuable." Farrell has also backed United to make the end of season play-offs despite a points deduction for fielding an ineligible player. "There are lots of games left, the way we are going it is definitely possible to get there," he said.

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