Oxford United are being linked with Reading's Scottish striker Jim McIntyre, who is out of contract at the Madejski Stadium.

The 29-year-old former Scotland B international was one of a number of Tommy Burns's signings at Reading who initially failed to impress, and his lack of goals made him unpopular with the fans.

But the former Bristol City and Airdrie forward, who joined the Royals from Kilmarnock for £420,000 three years ago, was used wide on the left of midfield and did much better, regaining his place in the team much more regualrly.

Reports from Berkshire say McIntyre has been in talks with Oxford as well as second division Swindon and Rotherham.

United's manager Mark Wright has so far made two signings, the Southport pair Scott Guyett and Phil Bolland, but he hopes others will follow in the next week.

Wright told the Oxford United website that he hoped to have signed four or five players within the next ten days.

"Things are hotting up now and I need to sign these players or lose them," he said.

"They would be coming to us from everywhere in the league and I am expecting to speak to Firoz Kassam. I would very much like to have them signed on here by the middle of next week and I think the chairman would too."

Meanwhile, United will be back in their favoured role of underdogs when they take on first division Gillingham in the first round of the Worthington Cup at the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday August 21.

It will be the first midweek cup match to be played at the new stadium, and Andy Hessenthaler's Gills will be firm favourites against a United side newly relegated to Division 3.

This cup-tie - the first match to be played at the stadium under lights - is a one-off game with no replay should the scores be level at the end of play. The game is included in the club's season-ticket package.

It will be a difficult first cup test for United's new boss Mark Wright but United have a good cup record against the Gills. In 1986, when they were the holders, they beat them 6-0 at the Manor, with a 1-1 draw at Priestfield earning a 7-1 aggregate victory.

Both the U's and the Gills have good recent cup pedigrees, Gillingham reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup two seasons ago, following victories over Premiership outfits Bradford and Sheffield Wednesday, while Oxford knocked out Everton in the Worthington Cup that same season after a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park.

The Kent side surprised many pundits who had tipped them for a quick return to the second division when they finished 13th in their first year in Division 1.

Three new players made major contributions to their mid-table finish.

Chris Hope, signed from Scunthorpe, was outstanding, while Marlon King, a £250,000 signing from Barnet - who was asked to fill the void following Carl Asaba's move to Sheffield United - finished as top scorer. Paul Shaw, a £450,000 signing from Millwall, also proved himself to be a quality asset.