OXFORD United will need to sign Aberdeen's Dean Windass in the next few days if they are to get him at all, according to assistant manager Mark Harrison.

Harrison believes the midfielder will need to arrive soon to become involved in the intense pre-season training that the rest of United's players have already begun.

Oxford and Aberdeen are believed to be on the verge of completing Windass's move for a fee estimated at £350,000.

Harrison said: "For it to go through it really needs to happen in the next few days. We want him to be part of training now."

Harrison believes the former Hull captain can be a huge asset. "Dean is a very good passer of the ball which is what we need really. He can switch play and open things up.

"He can play as a forward, as he has been at Aberdeen, but we are looking at him as an attacking midfielder, although being able to play up front obviously gives us an extra option as well."

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