T'S not only Joey Beauchamp and Paul Powell who caught the eye of the many scouts and managers who descended on the Manor Ground for the November sale last Saturday when Oxford United beat Port Vale 2-1.

United's managing director Keith Cox admitted last night that there had been "considerable interest" in a number of players, although these had not been translated into firm offers.

However, he felt "hopeful" that United would be able to sell a player by the weekend.

Manager Malcolm Shotton stated after the game that he doubted whether he could carry on much longer without being paid. Neither he, his assistant Mark Harrison, the groundsmen, nor office staff have been paid now for more than seven weeks.

Cox said: "I feel every sympathy, not just with Malcolm, but with all the staff. Our plan is to try to resolve this by this weekend and there are really two ways in which this could happen.

"One obvious one is that a player is sold, the other is that the bank decides to give further support. But that may in turn depend on third parties."

United have been looking to sell a player for several weeks and some 16 managers and scouts were at the Manor on Saturday to cast their eye over any bargains.

"We've not had any offers, though we've had considerable interest in a number of players," Cox said. "But this could happen at any time and, historically, this tends to happen towards the end of the week rather than at the start."

Cox has another meeting with Lloyds Bank officials on Friday.

"We just need some breathing space to get the takeover deal through," he said.

Asked whether he understood the takeover talks to be further down the road than when United last made an official statement a fortnight ago, Cox replied: "I believe so - but I'm very wary of saying any more than that. None of us wants any more false dawns."

CRAIG Brewin, national treasurer of the Football Supporters Association, and Malcolm Nickirk, a solicitor who represented AFC Bournemouth supporters in a successful attempt to create a community club, are two of the speakers at tonight's public meeting organised by the United supporters' group FOUL (Fighting for Oxford United's Life) at Oxford Town Hall (7.30).

FOUL organisers want to try to fill the 550-capacity hall. Other speakers include Oxford City councillor Alex Hollingsworth - in whose ward the Manor Ground is located - United's education officer Dave Nash and Thames Valley FM's Jerome Sale.

Ron Atkinson, Jim Rosenthal and John Aldridge are among a host of big names who were approached but were unable to attend. Many have sent messages of support.

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