Corden gets U's chance

7:00am Saturday 19th July 2008

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Former Leyton Orient winger Wayne Corden could become Oxford United boss Darren Patterson's next signing.

The 32-year-old arrived on trial at the Blue Square Premier club yesterday, and will get a chance to impress in United's pre-season friendly at Maidenhead United today.

Corden started his career at Port Vale, before moving on a free transfer to Mansfield Town where he became a crowd favourite.

He moved on to Scunthorpe following a row with Mansfield manager Carlton Palmer.

During the latter part of his contract he was on loan at Chester City, and later Leyton Orient, where he played a key role in helping the club to achieve automatic promotion.

Scunthorpe let him go in May 2006, and he then signed a two-year contract for Leyton Orient before being released at the end of last season.

Patterson commented: "He is a vastly experienced player and he has had promotion two or three times at the level above.

"He has two good feet and is a good winger. They are obviously qualities a bit different to those we have brought in who are more about power and pace. He is more refined.

"He is a good crosser into the box and he has a good set-piece delivery. He has fitted in very well already."

Now it appears it's up to Corden to show his mettle.

Patterson added: "Anybody I bring in I see as a possible move, then it is down to them. I am not bringing him down to just have a look at.

"I know all about him. I have seen a lot of him over the last four or five years. He is a good footballer and we will just see how fit he is and see how he goes."

Meanwhile, Rob Davies is determined to repay Patterson's faith after a spell in Spain.

The 21-year-old midfielder, who has represented Wales at every age group up to under 21 level, is with United on a short-term deal and is anxious to show he can still cut it.

Davies has featured in every U's pre-season match so far, and is keen to win an even longer deal.

The former West Brom man will play today as United step up their campaign with a trip to Blue Square South side Maidenhead United.

Davies, who was at Wrexham for seven years, then signed a two-year contract with Spanish club Barakaldo.

"I was there for six months," said Davies, who was the only British player in the squad at the Basque club. "I did enjoy myself in Spain, but the biggest problem was the language barrier.

"It was very hard to learn things when you can't understand what the coach is telling you."

Davies, who describes himself as an energetic midfielder, added: "Darren saw me when I was playing at West Brom and has kept track of my progress.

"He just asked me if I would like to come down for a trial. Oxford is a great club, a massive club. I'm looking to make a good impression."

Patterson is without the injured trio of Billy Turley, Phil Trainer and Declan Benjamin, but is hopeful the rest of his squad are fit.

"Everyone came through the Banbury game OK," said Patterson.

Oxford Utd (v Maidenhead, away): from Cole, Hinchliffe, Day, Carruthers, Quinn Foster, Willmott, Burnell, Odubade, Murray, Davies, Constable, Guy, Haldane, Reid, Clarke, Bowerman, Fower, Corden.