OXFORD United boss Denis Smith has laughed off claims that loan signing Eddie Newton is earning between 5,000-8,000 a week at the club, writes Mark Edwards.

And Smith says that money was the last thing on Newton's mind when the former Chelsea man joined up with United.

A survey of professional footballers found that top players earn above 400,00 a year, while the average pay in Division 2, Oxford's level, is estimated at 52,000 a year.

Having been relegated last season, United are among the highest payers in the division, with many players thought to be earning more than the average sum.

But Smith laughs off claims that new signing Newton is still on Premiership wages. "The suggestion that Eddie Newton is earning that sort of money is an absolute farce," Smith said.

"He came to the club and didn't even mention money to me. All he wanted to know about was his football.

"When he arrived, instead of talking about how much he'd be earning, he asked questions like 'will I be playing regularly and what position will I be playing in?'".

And Smith says that in an age where money seems to rule, it is a compliment to the player that he wasn't just looking after his back pocket.

"It says a lot about the lad that money didn't cross his mind at all. He just wanted to play first-team football.

"If you knew how much he was on, you'd see that he is actually one of the lower paid players in the first team."