OXFORD United boss Malcolm Shotton is on the look-out for a replacement goalkeeper today after Phil Whitehead last night joined West Bromwich Albion for £250,000.

The money will enable players and non-playing staff, some of whom haven't been paid for two months, to receive their November wages, albeit a day or two late.

Whitehead initially turned down the terms that were offered but Albion came back with a renewed offer which he has accepted.

He has signed a four-year deal, it's understood, which will take him through until he is 33.

Whitehead made 237 first-team appearances for United after joining them from Barnsley for £75,000 in October 1993.

Shotton will today search for a replacement because the only goalkeeper on United's books now is 21-year-old Elliot Jackson who has made just six league appearances. And United's manager admits that, whoever he brings in will find Whitehead a hard act to follow.

"Phil will be hard to replace. He's been magnificent since I've been at the club," Shotton said. "He's kept us in many games or kept things level and given us the platform to go on and win games."

United will need to sign a keeper before Saturday's home game against Bradford City.

Shotton says he has a list of possible candidates.

Whitehead could make his West Brom debut this Saturday at Bury, the scene of his only real mistake this season when he failed to hold a routine free-kick, allowing Chris Swailes to nip in and score Bury's winner.

Many United fans feel Smith has got the keeper, whom he last year described as "the best in the division" on the cheap.

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