By Jon Murray OXFORD United's loan star Craig Russell is determined to come out on top in the battle of the Manchester City teammates at the Manor Ground tomorrow.

After two successive wins, United are faced with another vital Division 2 game against a Wrexham side who have the same number of points from the same number of games.

And in one of football's more bizarre twists, Russell will be up against his Maine Road striking partner and friend Danny Allsopp, who has just joined Wrexham on a month's loan.

But ex-Sunderland star Russell, who will be playing his third game for the U's, says that, between 3pm and 4.45pm tomorrow at least, all that will go out of the window.

"We've played together a lot and get on well," Russell said. "I was trying to help Danny settle in when he came over from Australia, because he's only young still, but he's a good player - he's big, strong and very quick.

"When we played together in the Manchester City Reserves we tended to do well because he's quick and I'm quick. We scored quite a few goals together. "But I won't be thinking about any of that during the game, I'll just be concentrating on trying to help us get the win. As I said when I first came here, points are more important than individual performances.

"As a team, it was a good performance in my first game at Wycombe and not so good last week, though we still managed to get a win. Of course, it would be nice for me to get my first goal for Oxford, but it's more important that we get the three points."

Manchester City are only able to let both forwards out because they have seven strikers on their books! Russell has been told he can have a free transfer, so he's desperate to make a big impression to get noticed.

"I feel I've settled in quite well and I'm thankful to Oxford that they've given me the opportunity to play first-team football again," he said. "What happens after the month, I don't know, I'm just looking at the games during my loan and will take it from there."

Russell has hinted that he wouldn't mind staying at Oxford, but his wages - City are helping United out by subsidising them this month - would be a big stumbling block to any permanent signing.

Story date: Friday 25 February

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