Stormin' Norman

Young Frenchman Norman Sylla was on target again for Oxford's reserves as they drew 1-1 with Cambridge United's second string. Sylla scored after quarter of an hour to give United the lead, but Cambridge equalised just before half-time. United's triallist wasn't Lee Maddison, who is still in talks with Ian Atkins with a view to a move, but Hull City's Neil Mann. 29 year old Mann played at left back and by all accounts had a good game.

According to both the BBC and Swansea's official site Swansea defender Matthew Bound has signed for United and will play at Torquay this Saturday. There has so far been no confirmation of this from Oxford sources, but it does seem probably that Bound will join United on a month's loan with a view to a permanent deal. The BBC also reports that, despite Swansea's desire to offload the highly paid Bound as soon as possible, Atkins is in no hurry to sign him and he may not join Oxford before this weekend!

Fit to drop

United have applied for planning permission for a multi-purpose sports injuries clinic to be located beneath the East Stand at the Kassam Stadium. This was not included in the original specifications for the ground and so has to go through the whole planning process before it can go ahead. Even if there are no objections to this scheme (and why should there be?) it could still be several months before it is approved.