Denis Smith faces a tense 48 hours' wait before he knows whether his top target will agree to become an Oxford United player.

United's manager has been tracking three different strikers and has high hopes that his No 1 target will say 'yes' to a move to the Manor Ground.

One of these strikers could be Darren Byfield, according to sources in the midlands. Byfield, 23, has just been released by Aston Villa. He is a pacy forward who, at one time at Villa Park was regarded as a future star of the game.

Byfield has had loan spells at Preston and Blackpool and has made seven Premiership appearances, mostly as sub, and the season before last he played for some time alongside Paul Merson in the reserves.

The bait to lure Smith's top target is the promise of regular first-team football.

Smith said: "There is one who is my main target who you could say I'm concentrating on. He's spoken to three or four clubs and has got one club to see, so he's a popular lad. Up to now I believe I'm winning, but I'm slightly worried because this other club he's got to see is a first division club who might also be able to offer him regular football. "What he wants is to be playing first-team football at a decent standard and I'm just hoping that he feels he's more likely to get that with us than with anyone else. Here, with the size of our squad, he would have less competition."

Smith confirmed that he has other strikers lined up should he not land his first choice, and said: "It's likely to be Friday before I get an answer from him."

Meanwhile, the first official 'yes' back from any of his out-of-contract players has come from young defender Jon Shepheard. Les Robinson and Joey Beauchamp are both looking for better terms .

"I've spoken to Joey who is due in to see me again soon and I have spoken to Les," Smith said. "Both are looking for improvements on their contracts but there is not a great deal that I can do. We have got financial restrictions and I am trying to work under those."

And there is still the chance that centre half Steve Davis, who has turned down the offer put to him by United, will be back at the Manor in August.

"Steve is still not fixed up with anyone else so he might still be on the market later on," Smith added.

Oxford United players so far confirmed for 2000-2001 season: Richard Knight, Andre Arendse, Ross Weatherstone, Jon Shepheard, Neil McGowan, Paul Powell, Matt Murphy, Peter Fear, Paul Tait, Simon Weatherstone, Dean Whitehead, Derek Lilley, Steve Anthrobus, Ben Abbey, Chris Hackett.

Thinking over contract offers: Les Robinson, Rob Folland, Mark Watson, Phil Whelan, Jamie Cook, Joey Beauchamp.