Cutlery back in the draw

As reported earlier Neil Cutler has returned to Aston Villa after two months on loan at United, during which he failed to keep a single clean sheet, he failed to impress the United supporters and he twice made obscene gestures or comments to the Oxford fans. Whether Cutler's loan spell ended because Firoz Kassam refused David Kemp permission to extend the loan or because Kemp was unable to contact Kassam (either inadvertently or on purpose) is unclear, but certainly Kemp was not best pleased at losing his favoured goalie. This leaves Richard Knight and Phil Wilson as the only two 'keepers on United's books so one presumes that Knight will be once more the custodian when Oxford travels to Bristol City on Saturday.

Meanwhile Neil McGowan, it has been revealed, has spent the last couple of weeks on trial at Bournemouth although it is not yet certain whether or not he will be moving there. The only dedicated left back on United's books has apparently been told by U's boss Kemp that he has no future at the Manor and indeed if Kemp prefers the ungainly centre half Wayne Hatswell at left back to McGowan then obviously it is better for the young Scot, who joined for £20,000 from Albion Rovers, to further his career at a club where he may be more valued. One player who could fill in at left back is winger Paul Powell, who will apparently be playing for the reserves tomorrow when they take on Crystal Palace at the Manor.

Tonight's results saw a 2-1 victory for Bristol Rovers at Bournemouth, to move them one point above swindon with two games in hand, whilst Swansea lost by the same score at Northampton, despite being a goal up until the 89th minute. The Cobblers' winner was scored by our tubby friend Marco Gabbiadini.