OXFORD United manager Malcolm Shotton was today playing it cagey over his spying mission to watch Oxford City's hot property Jermaine McSporran.

Shotton was at Court Place Farm along with representatives of 23 other league clubs on Tuesday night to see the 21-year-old striker in action against Ryman League Division1 leaders Bognor Regis Town.

McSporran scored twice in a 2-2 draw, but when asked whether he was impressed, Shotton replied: "That would be for me to know and for you to find out."

And he added: "We were watching all the players to see if there was anything from Bognor as well, because they are top of the league."

Shotton admitted earlier this month that he would have invited McSporran up to the Manor for a trial but didn't have a penny to spend. However, he denied that his presence indicated that he could soon have money at his disposal, with Grenoble Investment Ltd in the process of buying the club.

"It doesn't suggest anything," he said. "We have been all over the place watching players."

Meanwhile, striker Nicky Banger's hopes of pressing his claims for a return to United's starting line-up were hit when the reserves' game against Gillingham yesterday was called off with the Priestfield Stadium pitch waterlogged.

Banger was due to have played his second game back following a collar-bone injury.

The weather is also hampering United's preparations for Saturday's Division 1 clash against fellow strugglers Crewe at the Manor Ground.

Shotton reported: "We have been inside for a day or so and have then been at Sandford, but it is like a mudbath."

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