RESERVE goalkeeper Jimmy Glass has been ruled out of Oxford United's trip to Port Vale in Division 2 today.

The former Swindon Town player has failed to recover from a sprained ankle in time to take his place on the bench as cover for Richard Knight.

In Glass's absence, 17-year-old Phil Wilson was set to travel with the squad although there was a slim chance that Canadian keeper Hubert Busby Jnr could return to Oxford in time to make the trip, having just returned to the Continent to receive international clearance from the Portuguese Federation.

However, since he got the all-clear, United have been unable to track down the 29-year-old Busby, who played for Caldas Sport Clube in the Portuguese first division last season.

United manager Denis Smith said: "He went over there to get clearance, which he has got, but he has not come back.

"He tried to get a flight yesterday, but we can't track him down."

However, Smith was confident that Wilson could step into Knight's boots should the worst come to the worst and Knight was injured.

"He is more than capable," said United's boss. "Physically, he is a huge keeper and he has a good temperament."