Oxford United's latest signing Andy Linighan can make a huge impact in bringing on some of the club's promising kids.

That's the belief of caretaker manager Mike Ford, who yesterday signed the 38-year-old former Leeds United and Arsenal centre back on a contract until the end of the season.

"We've got some good young players at this club but we need to get experienced players in alongside those younger players to bring them on," Ford said.

"Andy's got massive experience and massive pedigree. He'll talk to other people in the defence and if he can't sort one or two out then no-one can."

Linighan, who headed the last-minute winning goal in the 1993 FA Cup final replay between Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday after playing for nearly two hours with a broken nose was released last week by Crystal Palace.

He will make his United debut in tonight's game against Luton Town at the Manor Ground, a battle between the second division's bottom two teams.

Ford said it was a chance reading of a national newspaper which alerted him to Linighan, and he is not worried by the player's age.

"I read it in the Sun the other day that he'd left Palace and said 'can we go for him?'

"He was here on Saturday and watched us, and the remarkable thing is he's still decided to sign for us! i don't see his age being a problem at all," Ford said. "He's looked after himself, has vast experience and has played at the top level.

"He's been in and out of the Arsenal team and was part of the famous Arsenal Back Four. With him in there, we'll be a bigger side and more of a threat at set pieces."

Denis Smith, Ford's adviser, said: "He's a good player who can be a bit of a leader at the back for us. If Palace had released him in the summer, I've have tried to sign him then."

Linighan was Crystal Palace's player of the year last season but found it difficult to keep his place in the first team despite scoring a winning goal against Burnley in the Worthington Cup earlier this season.

Linighan, who will wear the No 33 shirt, said: "At this stage of my career, I was keen to find a club to complete my 20 years in the game, and Oxford's offer came just at the right time.

"I believe I can help the younger players and contribute to helping stabilise things."

Lee Jarman's place is the one most under threat by Linighan's arrival, yet Ford may try to keep a strong spine in the side by playing both of them.

If that's the case, Dean Whitehead's passing ability may just give him the nod in midfield ahead of Matt Murphy.