FOOTBALL: United snap up ex-League duo

7:49am Thursday 7th August 2008

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Oxford United manager Darren Patterson has been given a double boost on the eve of their Blue Square Premier opener at Barrow after striker Michael Husbands and midfielder Levi Reid agreed short-term deals.

The former Macclesfield duo, who have impressed on trial at United, yesterday put pen to paper and go straight into the squad for the trip to Cumbria.

Husbands, 24, was highly-rated as a youngster at Aston Villa and has had spells at Hereford, Southend, Bristol Rovers, Walsall, Port Vale and Macclesfield, scoring five times in 15 starts at those clubs.

Reid, also 24, began his career at Port Vale before dropping down to Stafford where his pace and skills earned a move back into the Football League with Macclesfield, where he scored twice in 28 starts.

It brings to nine the number of Patterson's summer signings, following the captures of Jamie Guy, James Constable, Rob Davies, Jake Cole, Ben Hinchliffe, Chris Carruthers and Lewis Haldane.

Patterson was desperately keen to strengthen his squad, particularly with first-choice keeper Billy Turley, Phil Trainer (broken foot) and now Guy (hamstring) all sidelined for several weeks.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe says he would have no qualms about making his debut should Patterson give him the nod to play at Barrow.

With Turley sidelined for the opening weeks of the season after a shoulder operation, Hinchliffe is fighting out the No 1 shirt with Jake Cole, who has signed on loan for three months from QPR.

Hinchliffe has impressed in the U's pre-season friendlies, the latest being 45 minutes against an almost full-strength Portsmouth side on Monday, before being substituted at half-time for Cole.

The 20-year-old former Derby County and Preston keeper was originally signed as cover for Cole, but now finds himself on the verge of his first-team debut thanks to some excellent pre-season displays.

"It's not really being thrown in at the deep end," said Hinchliffe, who recently signed a short-term deal with the U's. "I have also played in the Football League for Tranmere. I don't really think about who were are facing. I see it as 11 men against 11.

"It was a great experience to play against Portsmouth, but for me it was just another game.

"I spoke to David James after the game. He's an absolute legend and he will always help you out with advice if he can."