Oxford United chairman Firoz Kassam has issued a "hands-off our players" message on the eve of tonight's Division 3 home game against Scunthorpe.

After yesterday's revelation in the Oxford Mail that third division rivals Swansea made a cheeky inquiry for leading scorer Steve Basham, Kassam said none of his players were going anywhere.

"Swansea did make an inquiry about Basham, but he's not for sale," he said. "That's the same with all of the players here, they're not going anywhere."

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins spoke to Kassam nearly two weeks ago, but was told it was no go.

Jenkins said: "I spoke to Oxford's chairman but he made it plain that Basham is contracted to them and they don't want anybody leaving the club, which is understandable.

"Basham is out of contract in the summer but their chairman suggested there is another contract on the table for him."

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Oxford Mail, Swansea manager Brian Flynn wanted Basham to link up with Lee Trundle and knows of his qualities after signing him on loan for Wrexham in 1998.

Basham is one of many in the United camp who are out of contract in the summer.

U's boss Ian Atkins said he was aware of Swansea's interest.

"Brian (Flynn) spoke to me about it," he confirmed. "It's brilliant for Basham and flattering for him that another club is after him.

"It shows that others rate him highly and I'm pleased, personally, because last summer no-one had faith in him, except me. I had to fight tooth and nail just to get him a one-month contract and he's gone on to show what a good player he is, and is our top scorer.

When it was put to Atkins that Swansea's inquiry was somewhat audacious, he replied in kind.

"I inquired about Trundle in the summer because I thought he and Bash would make a good striking pair, and Brian evidently thinks the same.

"But if they want Bash, we'll have Trundle!"