Mad Dog put down

Mickey Lewis has been relieved of his post at Oxford United. Lewis, who has been at United since 1988 including a four month stint as manager last season, was the most vulnerable of the top-heavy management team, working without a contract. Lewis was in charge of the reserves prior to and after being manager and this was obviously a role that could be undertaken by Alan McLeary. There is no news yet as to what Lewis, who retired from playing in 1996 (except for a brief comeback last season), is going to do with his time.

Hi Lowe

United are giving a trial to 26 year old Jamaican international striker Onandi Lowe, currently at New York's Rochester Raging Rhinos and previously of Harbour View. Lowe has scored 24 goals in the last 26 international games he has played in, including six goals in this season's World Cup qualifiers. Joe Kinnear said that he is giving the player a trial because he has never played in Europe before and needs to ascertain how well he might adapt.

Our cups runneth over

There are two cup draws being made tomorrow, and United will feature in at least one of them. In the morning the new LDV Vans Trophy (which replaces the AWS) will be drawn, with United featuring in the Southern section along with four Conference sides. Then at 5.35pm the draw for the second round of the FA Cup will be made, with ball number 13 representing either Oxford or, heavens forfend, Macclesfield (or possibly both, should the tie be drawn).