By Jon Murray ROSS Weatherstone made it clear what he wants for Christmas.

"I'd like a new contract for a start," he said, just seconds after leaving the pitch at the end of Oxford United's 1-1 draw with Stoke City at the Manor on Saturday.

And Jamie Lambert, who has also been playing on a non-contract basis, appeared just as frustrated by the time the club has taken to sort out his future. "I'm fed up with being messed around," he grumbled.

But both players could get their wish today, with United's new technical director Ray Harford set to sit down with them to thrash out a deal.

Weatherstone was almost as impressive on his home debut as he was in his first senior game, the televised 2-1 victory at Reading.

And after Saturday's draw, which extended United's unbeaten run to nine games, he confirmed why he wants to be part of the future at Oxford United. It's largely because of the new boss Mickey Lewis. "Mickey Lewis has been a big influence on me and all the younger lads at the club," he said. Joey Beauchamp struck his fifth goal of the season to give United the lead, but Stoke capitalised on some tiring legs to grab a late equaliser from Peter Thorne.

Beauchamp too has been enjoying the new Lewis approach and says his man-management has been excellent. "He's instilled confidence in everyone," Beauchamp said.

"He has brought every individual player into his office and talked to them about what he's looking for. Everyone knows their jobs, and that helps a lot."

Beauchamp added: "We were disappointed to lose the lead considering we were 1-0 up with roughly ten minutes to go. It was unfortunate Stoke scored from their one real chance.

"It's a big week for us now. We've got Forest in the FA Cup on Friday, and we'll certainly be up for that.

"We tend to do well on the big stage and we've been there already with Everton away, and won there. "And Tuesday's a big game as well. It may be only the Auto Windscreens Shield with Luton, but it's a chance to get to Wembley."

Lewis says he will make changes to the side to face Luton to give some players a rest. But he doesn't see it as dropping players.

"It might be time to give players who have been on the fringe a chance," he said. "The likes of Peter Fear and Ben Abbey - it's about time they had an opportunity.

"We can't wait for Forest. I think we're playing pretty well and the team looked very solid on Saturday.

"But we want to win both games, so we won't be treating it lightly against Luton.

"And we want to keep our unbeaten run going for as long as possible."

United's chief coach felt last week's FA Cup replay against Shrewsbury, which went to extra time, affected his team as they visibly tired towards the end.

"After Tuesday, we didn't have the legs to get up and support the front men quickly enough," he said.

"But our back three looked very solid. Ross Weatherstone again did well and Phil Whelan's getting better with every game.

"We played some good football. Mark Watson had to go off because he was troubled by his back, but I don't think he'd have got to the ball when Thorne scored anyway.

"It was a good goal from them."

Story date: Monday 06 December

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