Oxford United boss Ian Atkins is close to signing Carlisle left back Lee Maddison - and may try to get him in time to play in tomorrow's Division 3 game against Bristol Rovers at The Kassam Stadium.

The former Southampton defender is a player Atkins knows well.

Atkins signed him when manager of Northampton, and then of Carlisle, and in between, Maddison had four successful years north of the border.

The defender has been on trial with the U's this week and played in the reserves' 3-2 defeat at Leyton Orient on Wednesday.

Atkins said: "He's a left back, which is what I need, and he's a left back of great quality. It's not easy getting players. Carlisle won't play him at the moment, but I know what he's capable of."

Maddison did well for Atkins at Northampton and it was only because the Cobblers chief was able to bring in Jon Frain on loan from Birmingham City that Maddison was allowed to go.

"He joined Dundee, helped them win promotion from Scottish League Division 1 and then had three years in the Scottish Premier League - and you're not a mug when you play in that," Atkins added.

However, taking Maddison may be partly dependent on Matthew Bound.

If Bound completes his permanent signing from Swansea, that would release a loan, and Atkins would then ask chairman Firoz Kassam if he could take Maddison for a month.

"I've given Matthew the benefit of the doubt and let him have more time to sort this thing out with Swansea," Atkins revealed.

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