MYSTERY continues to surround the record-breaking transfer of Aberdeen striker Dean Windass to Oxford United.

A Football League spokesman confirmed yesterday that they had still not received any paperwork relating to the registration of United's £475,000 club record buy - even though Windass signed a three-year contract a week ago.

It is normally a straightforward matter once a signing has been completed to lodge the players' registration with the league.

But as this has not happened so far, it throws fresh doubts over debt-ridden United's ability to come up with the cash for the transfer to go through.

Meanwhile, midfielder David Smith and defenders Brian Wilsterman and Christophe Remy have been added to the list of players who will miss Oxford United's opening pre-season friendly at Yeovil Town tonight.

Striker Kevin Francis and defender Phil Gilchrist were ruled out of the pre-season south-west tour - which also takes in games against Tiverton on Thursday and at Exeter on Saturday - due to slight knocks at the end of last week.

Yeovil, of the Vauxhall Conference, drew 1-1 with Swindon on Saturday when they changed their whole starting line-up at half-time with the match goalless.

Yeovil's strike came from a spectacular own goal from Sol Davies, who beat his own keeper from 30 yards. Swindon replied through Iffy Onuora.

Yeovil head coach Colin Lippiatt is expected to adopt a similar approach to tonight's game by utilising his whole squad.

Oxford Utd: from Whitehead, Jackson, Marsh, Davis, Robinson, Whelan, Beauchamp, Cook, Gray, Hill, Murphy, Powell, Windass, Thomson, Banger, Weatherstone, Rose.

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