LIAM Manning says Oxford United will only take a look at trialists if the conditions are right.
United’s head coach admitted there is just one trialist currently training with the club in the hope of earning a contract.
The Oxford Mail understands that reports Marley Watkins is with the U’s are accurate.
READ ALSO: Liam Manning discusses whether Oxford United need defensive midfielder
Asked about trialists at the club, Manning responded: “There’s only one in training with us at the moment, who we had an approach from and we decided to follow that up.
“It’s something we wouldn’t rule out completely, we currently carry quite big numbers so what it can’t be is at the expense of someone that we’ve got in.
“I don’t like wasting people’s time. If we know there’s no potential to be signed or it’s not a position we’re looking to fill, then we wouldn’t do it.”
Watkins, a 32-year-old winger, saw his contract with Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen expire this summer.
The London-born forward was brought up in Swansea and has won two caps for Wales.
After coming through the ranks at Cheltenham Town, Watkins had spells with Bath City, Hereford United and Inverness CT, before joining Barnsley in June 2015.
He was an unused substitute as the Tykes beat Michael Appleton’s United in the 2016 EFL Trophy final, prior to stints at Norwich City, Bristol City and Cardiff City.
Watkins joined Aberdeen in August 2021, and scored four goals in 47 games, although 27 of those appearances were as a substitute.
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About the author
To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/
Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.
Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.
His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.
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