STEVENAGE Borough boss Richard Hill has made an approach to try to sign Oxford United's FA Cup hero Elliot Jackson.

Hill, the former United midfielder, is desperate for a goalkeeper with his current No 1 Chris Taylor experiencing a poor run of form, and he used his contacts with his former Manor boss Maurice Evans to ask about Jackson's availability.

The 21-year-old Swindon-born keeper helped United earn a money-spinning Cup replay at Stamford Bridge with some super saves in the drawn fourth-round tie with star-studded Chelsea at the Manor on January 25.

But he has been relegated to third choice since manager Malcolm Shotton brought in Paul Gerrard on loan from Everton and then Swedish keeper Paul Lundin from Osters.

Lundin, who played 70 minutes for the U's in their 6-1 friendly win over the Isle of Wight in Newport on Monday night, is expected to become Oxford's first-choice keeper when Gerrard's loan runs out on Easter Day.

Oxford City were also sounded out about whether they might be interested in taking Jackson. Stevenage lie eighth in the Football Conference.

Meanwhile, United's assistant manager Mark Harrison described the game against the Isle of Wight as "a thoroughly worthwhile exercise".

He said: "We can't talk anything but positive about the night. You could actually see the players' confidence coming back and them starting to express themselves again.

"The lads were terrific. They got some good goals, their running off the ball was good and their attitude excellent.

"OK, so it wasn't against the best opposition, but I believe it will have done us a lot of good in terms of refreshing everyone. It's been nice to get away from the Manor and the pressures of the relegation dog-fight."

United gave 14 minutes to Nigel Currell, a former youth trainee at the club who lives on the island and was the organiser of the trip.

"He was sponsored for £200 if he could play for us, so we made him captain," Harrison said. He was replaced by Kevin Francis who found the net twice, once from the penalty spot - Francis's first goals since returning from his succession of knee injuries.

The only injury concern from the game was French defender Christophe Remy who aggravated a thigh injury and was replaced at half-time.

United's players relaxed by playing some golf yesterday. They return today and several of them will be playing for the reserves against Barnet Res at the Manor Ground tonight (7.30) in the Avon Insurance Combination.

Story date: Wednesday 17 March

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