By Jon Murray OXFORD United will hope to get in-form Jamie Lambert to sign a longer-term contract in the next few days.

The former Reading player, who has scored three times, has greatly impressed with his technique and hunger, and has become a big hit with the fans.

"It's something we're looking to sort out and I imagine there's a good chance it will be at the start of next week," said Mickey Lewis. "There's not a lot I can do at the moment, being caretaker manager."

Tomorrow, Lambert will again be playing in an unaccustomed striker's position as the U's try to negotiate a tricky FA Cup second round tie at Shrewsbury.

And this time it's the opposition who could be boosted by a new managerial appointment.

On Monday, the Shrews made ex-Everton and Wales defender Kevin Ratcliffe their new boss in succession to Jake King, who was sacked at the start of the month.

At the Manor Ground, though, there is still no news of who will succeed Malcolm Shotton, leaving Lewis and his assistant Les Taylor to carry on running the team, with supporters becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of an announcement. The feeling is that there is now unlikely to be any news on Oxford's new manager before tomorrow afternoon, because that would disrupt preparations for the Cup clash. And with a Division 2 fixture at Notts County next Tuesday, it might be the end of next week before the fans know who will be taking the reins.

"The Shrewsbury players will have something to prove, now they've got a new manager," said Taylor.

"It will be very similar to the last round where Morecambe admitted that, with Malcolm going and Mickey taking over, it made their job harder. It's got that effect, I'm afraid."

Lewis concurred. "They're all going to be out to impress and will be buzzing a bit. I do believe they like a battle, so we must make sure we're strong and don't concede a goal early in the game. Then we'll try to get it down and play, and try to play like we did for an hour or so against Bury last week."

Taylor predicted: "It'll not be that pretty in the first part of the game. "It's a big game for both clubs. Get through this and who knows who'll you'll get in the third round."

The only certainty is that it won't be Manchester United who are giving this year's competition a miss.

Lewis looks likely to name an unchanged side, but with a couple of changes on the bench where Peter Fear and possibly Simon Weatherstone may return.

"Mickey's man management with the players has been excellent," said Taylor. "He has explained to players who have been left out exactly why he his doing it, and why he feels it's in the best interests of the team. With Paul Powell, it was to give him a rest.

"Even with Fear, it was nice for him to step back out, with some in the team feeling a bit of pressure because of results.

"All the players are getting their confidence back slowly and there are some very encouraging signs on the training ground."

David Hughes is set to return to the Shrewsbury defence following a three-game ban. Hughes was at Aston Villa but took a massive pay cut to get regular first-team football.

Story date: Friday 19 November

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