Lee Steele signalled his readiness to be thrown into the fray to help Oxford United's promotion push with an impressive performance at the Kassam Stadium yesterday.

And a further boost for U's boss Ian Atkins was the sight of Steve Basham getting back onto the scoresheet at home.

Basham hit a brace in the 3-0 friendly win over Nationwide Conference title challengers Hereford United.

Steele scored the first goal on 21 minutes, showing his pace as he ran onto Richie Foran's pass and rounded the keeper before slotting home from an acute angle.

The former Shrewsbury and Brighton striker, who has been sidelined for nine months with a cruciate knee ligaments injury, also demonstrated good hold-up and link-up play, and sharpness inside the box

This makes him a likely starter for United's Division 3 home game against Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday.

Julian Alsop remains suspended, but the question is whether Atkins will have to change formations to make room for Steele.

Atkins said: "There's no bigger fan of Steeley than me, he just needed games.

"He's had a couple now and is looking good. He's an 18-yard box player . . . he comes alive in the area and this game will do him good."

Steele said: "I feel as though I've been fit for ages and I have made that known to the manager.

"All I can do is keep banging on the door. Times are hard at the moment, everyone's trying to get a new contract and I'm no different, I just want to be playing."

Atkins started off the behind-closed-doors game with three strikers, using Basham, Steele and Foram, though he changed to just two up front later.

Steele said: "Sometimes it's quite hard with the three up front but I thought the movement was quite good.

"It''s good that Bash has got on the scoresheet after his barren run of late. These friendlies are there for a purpose and that purpose was served today."

Chris Hackett hit the post before Basham made it two by volleying in off the keeper, and then heading in a third.

Andy Scott had half an hour for his first action since returning from a broken leg.

Two triallists also got a run-out - left-sided defender David Cairns and striker 'Poppo' Sinou from Burkino Faso, though neither is likely to be taken on.