Chris Wilder hopes to land former Bury goalkeeper Wayne Brown, if negotiations prove successful.

Brown, 34, who is a free agent, watched Saturday’s 1-0 victory against MK Dons from the bench in the U’s first home pre-season game, with Asa Hall netting the winner.

Brown has just returned from South Africa where he played for Supersport United and should he sign, would provide competition for Oxford United’s No 1 keeper Ryan Clarke.

The ex-Hereford stopper would become U’s manager Wilder’s eighth capture of the summer following the signings of Michael Duberry, Andrew Whing, Deane Smalley, Tony Capaldi, Ryan James, Jon-Paul Pittman and Peter Leven.

Last month, Brown, who spent two years at Bury and also had spells at Bristol City and Hereford, was linked with a coaching role at Tottenham and a move to the U’s League Two rivals Shrewsbury Town.

Wilder knows what Brown, who was born in Southampton, can do, having worked with him when he was assistant manager of the Shakers.

He said: “Wayne would bring a lot of experience and we are talking to him at the moment.

“He has had a decent career and was at Bury during the six months I was there. He’s a great character.”

Wilder stressed that Brown would come in purely as a player, quashing claims on one website that it was a player-coach role, adding: “I don’t know where that came from, it certainly wasn’t from me or the club.”

Meanwhile, Wilder was delighted with his side’s display against MK Dons, particularly with Duberry’s contribution.

The former St Johnstone centre back and new skipper Jake Wright formed a formidable barrier at the heart of United’s defence.

“I thought Dubes (Duberry) making his debut on home soil was first-class and showed exactly why we bought him in,” said Wilder, who was without new signings Andrew Whing (stiffness), Tony Capaldi (tight hamstring), Peter Leven (foot) and Paul McLaren (calf strain) for the game.

“He organised us tight at the back and was rock solid against the likes of Sam Baldock, who could go for millions of pounds, and Lewis Guy.”

Wilder added: “It was a good workout for us against a League One side who almost made it up (to the Championship) last season.

“They have a lot of good players and a shape that is difficult to play against.

“I read in the week that their manager was saying that his squad were fatigued after they came back off tour (of Ireland).

“Our plane only landed from America on Wednesday, so I don’t know what that says about their players.

“I was delighted with my players’ attitude and enthusiasm.”