Rob Duffy had his first taste of match action for 6 weeks when he played for Oxford United in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Aldershot at the Recreation Ground - and came through it fine.

United's 21-goal top scorer from last season played with a splint on his broken arm, which has been mending well, and he lasted 70 minutes, more than the club's management had been expecting.

The friendly proved a good work-out, with other players who are on their way back from injury getting vital match practice.

Said new boss Darren Patterson: "The game went very well. Duffy lasted 70 minutes, Eddie Hutchinson played 80, Eddie Anaclet 70, and Chris Willmott and Michael Corcoran 90.

"We finished with eight youth team players on the field and they all acquitted themselves well too.

"The result was 2-0 to Aldershot but it wasn't about the result, it was about getting players fit.

"Probably a draw would have been a fairer result on the play, but it didn't matter. Kieron St Aimie also played and he had three or four chances which he didn't take, but it was a very worthwhile exercise for us."

Duffy broke his wrist in the first half of United's 1-1 draw against York City on September 30, but is now itching to get back to show the new manager what he can do.

"He worked his socks off," Patterson said. "We told him not to get involved in anything physical, but it was important that he played because he needs to overcome the psychological barrier of going into challenges.

"We really didn't expect him to be back so soon, but he asked to play."

Patterson and his staff were out watching games last night, and will again tonight, as he searches for players to boost United's squad.

And one local player he hopes will join is the 23-year-old Didcot Town goalkeeper Michael Watkins.

Patterson said: "We have had a chat with him and put together a package which we hope he will accept.

"We've had him watched several times, our goalkeeping coach (Alan Hodgkinson) has also watched him and we've had good reports from when he had trials at Coventry and Wycombe.

"He's a good size and is a confident lad. At the minute, though, he's a No 2 - Billy Turley's most definitely our No 1.