Jamie Cook, released by Oxford United, is set for a surprise move to Stevenage.

It’s understood that Stevenage boss Graham Westley has stepped in and offered 30-year-old Cook the chance of League football again, following their promotion from the Conference.

And that has tipped the scales so far as Cook is concerned, following two weeks of negotiations with Rushden & Diamonds’ manager Justin Edinburgh.

If he signs for Stevenage, Cook could face his old club Oxford United on Boxing Day, and be back at the Kassam Stadium for the return at the end of January.

Stevenage have several other ex-U’s men, including assistant boss John Dreyer, and players Jon Ashton, Yemi Odubade and Tim Sills.

After struggling to hold down a place in the squad in the last three months of last season, Cook was told by U’s boss Chris Wilder that he didn’t feature in his long-term plans.

And although he had a year left on his contract, United announced that he had left the club by mutual consent.