AMIE Cook will step into the breach for Oxford United this Saturday with boss Mickey Lewis urging him: "Go on, you've got your chance, now take it!"

The 20-year-old from Witney made a big impact when he came up front on as a substitute, along with wingback Paul Powell, in the U's FA Cup third-round tie at Nottingham Forest.

And now, with main target man Steve Anthrobus facing a one-match suspension, Oxford-born Cook is set to get his first League start in attack in the weekend's Division 2 game against Bournemouth at Dean Court.

Lewis said: "I'm seriously thinking about playing Jamie there. He deserves his chance."

Cook was one of those who felt frustrated at not being given more opportunities this season under former manager Malcolm Shotton. Said Lewis: "I honestly don't know about that. He's not come and said anything to me. He's got his head down and kept going, and he's done well in the reserve games he's played.

"He's still only 20, so he's young. But this could be a big chance for him.

"This is how you often get your chance, when someone else gets injured or is suspended, so it's up to him to take it."

Story date: Wednesday 15 December

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.