Footy tomorrow!

United will be without new striker Lee Steele, who is apparently a week behind the other players in terms of fitness, and also of course Jamie Brooks and Andy Scott. Scott has actually resumed training, well ahead of schedule, following an injection on his groin strain, but is still doubtful for the start of the season. However Jefferson Louis is likely to start in order to give him a chance to impress, and he could be joined in attack by an as yet unidentified triallist.

One triallist who has been revealed is Mark Warren, who played four games on trial for United back in the 1998/99 season, alongside Mark Watson, and generally impressed. He since signed for Notts County and will be remembered fondly by United fans for scoring an own goal at Meadow Lane for a rare away win three seasons ago. He became County's captain but last season injury limited his appearances and he was one of a number of players released by the cash-strapped club. Apparently United currently are giving trials to nine players, although it is unlikely that they will all feature tomorrow, so we should see the remainder on Monday night at Thame.

One player currently on trial at Exeter City is former Wycombe striker Andrew Baird, who is with the Grecians on their pre-season tour to Finland. Baird claims that Oxford are also trying to sign him, but that, due to his friendship with former playing colleague John Cornforth, the Exeter boss has first option on signing him. Baird is very fast but, like Warren, missed a lot of last season due to injury. Apparently he spent a week on trial at United at the end of last season, but that one passed us by.

Lee Hodges won't be signing for Grimsby, following two days on trial at the Humberside club they apparently are unable to meet Hodges' wage demands. Hodges, who was due to decide who he wanted to sign for today, claims that as well as United there are six other clubs with whom he has held talks, including Notts County. Presumably all will be revealed after the weekend, although Oxford manager Ian Atkins has said that he doesn't expect any movement on new players in the immediate future.