Oxford United boss Mark Wright was today hoping to complete the signing of French striker Norman Sylla.

The 18-year-old has been with the club for the last few months and has impressed in the reserve side as well as the under 19s.

Sylla has been scoring regularly for both teams, and Wright was talking to chairman Firoz Kassam last night to try to tie up the deal.

"I don't want to say too much at the moment, but I am going to speak to the chairman and see if we can sort something out," Wright said.

"In my opinion, he deserves a chance, and has shown us enough to warrant a contract. He certainly has enough ability for us to work on."

Although he failed to get on the scoresheet as United Reserves drew 1-1 with Southend Res in their Avon Combination match at Court Place Farm yesterday, Sylla again impressed after coming on as a sub with 25 minutes left.

He set up Jordan Holder to put United ahead, and then showed some close control in the box to get in a shot in the last minute, but could only fire over the bar.

In between, he also found time to get himself booked.

Simon King, twice, and Chris Hackett went close early on for the U's, with Hackett particularly unlucky with his goalbound shot, which was parried away by the hands of a Southend defender, only for the referee to point for a corner.

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