OXFORD United believe they can hang on to their best players, even if their contracts don't have long to run.

Striker Matt Green, who impressed greatly in last Saturday's 3-0 win over Histon, is on loan until the end of the season from Championship side Cardiff.

And left back Michael Howard is coming to the end of his month's loan from Morecambe. Tomorrow's home game against Droylsden will be the final game of his month, but boss Darren Patterson wants to keep him.

There's the risk that other clubs may try to pounce and prise away either of these two, or indeed centre forward Justin Richards, who is on loan from Kidderminster until the end of the season, should he continue to do well for United.

And the same goes for Craig McAllister, although he has only had one full game since joining from Grays after injuring his hamstring.

"Yes, there is a risk, and I know a couple of clubs who would take Richards tomorrow," said Patterson.

"But I believe, if they do well for us, we're in prime position to sign them. Knowing how we are doing things, and treating them, I believe they won't want to leave.

"But they have to do it first. And just having them here, hungry to do well to prove themselves - whether it ends up being to stay here or earn a contract with another club - helps to make us more competitive."

Green is starting to show how he has learned from training every day at Ninian Park alongside the likes of Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Robbie Fowler.

It's expected that United will try to find a way to seal How- ard's future, for at least the remainder of this season, after the Droylsden game.

"I hope to have some news on that next week, but there's nothing at the moment," Patterson said.

Meanwhile, the U's have just two injury worries ahead of the Droylsden game.

Michael Blackwood has been receiving treatment following a niggling injury, which Patterson describes as "only minor", while Luke Foster only yesterday returned to training after an injury he collected against Histon.

"I think both should be OK," said United's manager.

"But although we had a good win last time, it doesn't necessarily mean it will be exactly the same side."