Allen the key?

Reports from a couple of sources in Grimsby say that Oxford United are taking a look at out of contract striker Bradley Allen. Allen has just had a week at Brighton but they, like Grimsby, were unable to afford the salary that the former England under-21 international is seeking. There is still a possibility that Allen could be offered a contract at Blundell Park, but Grimsby would have to release some players before they could afford him.

Former United favourite Matty Elliott has been offered a free transfer by Leicester City, who are having trouble paying his alleged £30,000 a week wages. Elliott is still Oxford's record sale, Leicester paying £1.6 million for him in 1997, with United eighth in the first division at the time. It's been downhill ever since.

More about Derby

Rage Online can now reveal that the scorer of Derby's goal in the 1-0 defeat on Saturday was the Rams' expected new signing (subject to work permit/finances) Yakubu Aiyegbeni. Derby's side also featured Fabrizio Ravanelli, Branko Strupar and Deon Burton, whilst United included Adam Locke, as well as strikers David Oldfield and Andy Baird, although Atkins has said that there are no plans to offer any of them deals at the time-being.

Youth culture

On Friday Oxford's under-17s lost 1-0 to Spurs at Didcot, whilst on Saturday the under-19s beat Bournemouth 3-2. Huzzah!