NILE Ranger is training with Oxford United, but manager Karl Robinson says they are a “million miles” from offering the controversial striker a deal.

The 27-year-old has been with the U’s for the last two days and is due to play in a behind-closed-doors game for them on Monday.

United are in need of firepower after Jon Obika was ruled out for the season with a knee injury earlier this month and Ranger is a free agent.

But the former Newcastle United striker has a chequered past and has not played since his contract was terminated by Southend United in January for disciplinary reasons.

Robinson has made it clear Ranger is on thin ice, but is planning to give him a chance to show what he can do.

The United head coach said: “Everything he’s done in his life, I totally disagree with. I can at no stage protect him, I just believe in giving people a chance.

“He phoned me last week, he drove two hours to meet us in London last week before the (Charlton) game and he almost begged for that opportunity.

“He gives me his word the second something derogatory happens while he’s training with me or something I don’t agree with happens, then he’ll be gone.

“He’ll play 20 minutes in a game on Monday, then he’s got two or three weeks for me to watch him.

“It’s not something I’m going to do right away.

“He’s got to prove to me he can be in on time, he’s got to prove to me he’s fit and can fit into this team. He’s got to prove to the fans he’s in a better place than he’s been before.

“I think at his best he is one of the best strikers in League One.

“I’m dead straight with all my players, but while someone of his quality is about and we can get him fit, we’ll see.

“If he comes here, he has to have an impact on local kids as well.

“If he comes I’d want him going into local schools once a week talking about the things he has done and the mistakes he’s made and the reasons why he’s done it and telling kids it doesn’t work.

“We’re a million miles away from anything and I’m a long way from being decided on what I want to do with the situation.”