KARL Robinson has played down speculation Cardiff City had tabled a bid for in-demand Oxford United winger Gavin Whyte.

Several clubs have enquired about the Northern Ireland international this summer, but the Bluebirds are not one of them.

Robinson told the Oxford Mail last month he valued Whyte at £4million and while there may be some flexibility if it meant improved add-ons, the £1.5m reported is far below anything United would contemplate.

Cardiff did have a scout at the Kassam Stadium last night, but Whyte, who did not train last week due to tight hamstrings, did not feature in the 1-1 draw against Fulham.

Responding to the rumours, Robinson said: “I know Neil (Warnock, Cardiff’s manager), so if there is he’ll call me. That’s the first time I’ve heard of that.

“We’ve turned down a lot of offers for Gavin and people know where we stand.

“We know people like him. I love a lot of players too – but I don’t get them all.”

Another rumour Robinson put to bed was a link between Simon Eastwood and Blackburn Rovers.

The Sky Bet Championship club signed goalkeeper Christian Walton yesterday, but the U’s boss had already made contact to make sure they were not going to make a move for his No 1.

After Chris Cadden’s long-awaited loan move was finally cleared up yesterday, attention turned to who comes in next.

Robinson is heading to Belgium today to watch a target, but one player closer to home has suddenly emerged, with Marcus Browne watching on from the stands at the Kassam Stadium last night.

The winger spent last season on loan with the U’s and Robinson made it clear before the end of the campaign he would love to bring him back from West Ham.

And the 21-year-old’s return trip for a pre-season friendly will heighten the speculation.

He said: “I’d love him, there’s no getting away from the fact that if he’s available, we’ll pay money for him.

“The chairman has openly said to me ‘whatever it costs, we’ll buy him’.

“But if Marcus Browne was available, we won’t be the only club in for him.

“I think he really felt at home here and I think the fans have a big influence on what he wants to do.”

While United look for attacking reinforcements, their goal against Fulham came from John Mousinho, who was quick to clear up any doubt it might have been an own goal.

He said: “It came off the outside of the right boot. I probably surprised myself a bit, but it was nice to notch one in pre-season.”