OXFORD United are hoping Joey Beauchamp can re-focus on helping them collect their first league win of the season this weekend after Southampton last night denied any interest in buying him.

Saints boss David Jones insisted there was "nothing in it" following a claim in the Mail on Sunday newspaper that his club were preparing a £1m bid for the winger.

With Southampton's left-sided midfielder John Beresford, a £1.5m signing from Newcastle, out for the rest of the season after damaging cruciate ligaments only seven minutes into the season against Liverpool, a move for Beauchamp seemed to add up.

But Jones said the story was not true - and also ruled out a move for Beauchamp in the future.

Beauchamp and young striker Simon Weatherstone are ready to return to training today following sprained ankles and boss Malcolm Shotton will be looking to last season's 19-goal top scorer to reproduce some magic as United bid to end a run of three successive defeats.

"Having them back in training is a bonus," he said.

"There's a real determination in the players to get back to winning ways and we feel things are turning around.

"Confidence was low but we've been trying hard to put things right and hopefully we can go out and get that first win on Saturday."

Bournemouth's Owen Coll, who has played three reserve team games for the club, the last in a 2-0 defeat at Northampton on Monday, seems unlikely to be retained.

"We don't feel he's done enough or is better than players we currently have at the club," said assistant manager Mark Harrison.

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