Oxford today made another pre-season signing, in the shape of Chelsea reserves striker/midfielder Danny Philliskirk. The youngster, who has yet to play a first-team game for the Blues, has joined on an initial one-month loan; a strange neither-here-nor-there length of time that one can only assume is a sort of assessment period to determine if it's worth extending that period at a later date.

Philliskirk moved from Oldham Athletic to Chelsea four years ago, having come up through the youth ranks at the Latics, where his father Tony was in charge of Youth Development. Those with a memory may recall Tony as a prolific striker with Sheffield United (where he played alongside Chris Wilder), Bolton Wanderers, and Peterborough United (and a less prolific striker with Cardiff City). Hopefully, son Danny will have inherited his father's predatory instincts and will put them to use during his spell at the Kas. Danny was captain of Chelsea's Youth Team three seasons back, and has a decent goalscoring record for their reserves.

Young Daniel will get his first outing in an Oxford shirt this evening, as United play their final pre-season friendly at Banbury United. In addition to Philliskirk the rest of the side is likely to comprise those who failed so dismally at Court Place Farm on Friday, although there is no hint as to whether the still anonymous triallist who played in midfield will reappear. For those of you who can be bothered, Rage Online intends to do Twitter updates throughout the game.