Oxford United manager Ian Atkins was hoping to sign Carlisle striker Richie Foran on a month's loan in time for January 6's Division 3 trip to Swansea City.

Foran was due to travel down and talk to Atkins just an hour before the squad set off to Wales on the afternoon of January 6, and the U's were hoping to rush the paperwork through in time for him to line up against the Swans.

Foran has fallen out of favour at Carlisle after the struggling Cumbrian club signed former Bury manager Andy Preece.

Atkins has been looking for a replacement for suspended striker Julian Alsop, as the U's look to cement their position on top of the table.

Meanwhile, former Swansea defender Matt Bound returns to his old club, warning his teammates this could be table-topping United's toughest game yet.

The U's are hoping to extend a superb 15-match unbeaten league run, but they know how difficult night games at the Vetch Field can be for opponents - because the Welsh crowd are quite hostile and the officials can sometimes be swayed.

Oxford were beaten 3-2 there at the end of March, a defeat that probably cost them a play-off place last season.

Bound said: "I played for nearly four years at Swansea and I know that night games there create a brilliant atmosphere.

"We were beaten last season when they were given a penalty that was two yards outside the box. But we know that's one of the places you get decisions like that going against you because of the noise, the atmosphere and the home crowd.

"I got loads of abuse there last time, but it didn't worry me at all. I think this could be our toughest game yet because Swansea have got to win to get back in touch with the leading teams."

Atkins is weighing up whether to assign the experienced Paul McCarthy to 18-goal Trundle, who likes to cut onto his left foot whenever he can.

The U's have not conceded three goals in a league game since that last visit to the Vetch. That was also the last occasion they have lost a game after taking the lead.

A draw or win tonight would mean this United team have overhauled the 15-match unbeaten league run of 1991 and they would then have the 1984 club record of 20 firmly in their sights.

But Atkins is looking at a win for other reasons.

He said: "We can't go down the table if we lose, and if we win, we'd be five points ahead of second-placed Hull and 15 points ahead of Swansea in eighth."