Oxford United's new midfielder is determined to add to a new facet to his game - by getting some goals.

Joe Burnell has often in the past played as a holding midfielder, with only limited opportunities to get forward, but he is likely to be asked to pair up with Adam Murray in central midfield in an orthodox 4-4-2 for the U's next season - and he's looking to hit the target a few times.

"I want to get a few goals," he said. "I haven't got too many in my career, I probably should have scored more.

"But it's something I can do and I'm excited by the challenge."

Only two goals from around 240 league appearances is a disappointing return, but Burnell has popped up with crucial strikes in cup matches, finding the net four times in the FA Cup, from 20 starts.

In the last three years, he has managed to hit the target only on a couple of occasions, for Northampton at Huddersfield in a 1-1 draw, and in the FA Cup at Grimsby.

But playing in Coca-Cola League One is a very different prospect to the Conference, and the former Bristol City, Wycombe and Northampton midfielder is confident he can bag a few in the Blue Square Premier next season.

Said United boss Darren Patterson: "He's played quite a lot as a defensive midfielder, but I'm expecting him to get his quota of goals as well, and that was one of the things he liked when we talked to him.

"Adam Murray and he will, I believe, be a very good partnership in the centre of midfield.

"Obviously, he's got to get acclimatised to the Conference very quickly. It's a different level and there are players that have come down who haven't been able to.

"But his attitude is second to none. He's very astute, he's captained every side he's played for, so you can see his qualities there. I've got no doubt he'll adapt to this level very quickly."

Burnell is known as someone who is defensively very solid, but Patterson believes he will bring a good range of passing to the team, as did his predecessor, Jamie Hand.

"He can do a bit of both for me," Patterson said. "He grafts and can tackle - and he can pass well, with both feet. He fits the bill perfectly, and we're very pleased to have him." Joe Burnell Fans out to put U's on the spot Oxford United supporters will try to put one over the first team when they take part in a penalty shoot-out at the club's Open Day today.

The Oxford Mail fans' will compete against Oxford United players - with the supporters team comprising Jay Harriott (Oxford), Pete Burton (Abingdon), Sean Cleaver (Headington), Thom Airs (Rose Hill) and Tony Snellgrove (Chalgrove).

The five were winners of a competition run by the Oxford Mail.

f=Helvetica s=6q=cOPEN DAY SCHEDULE q=l 9.15am - gates open to juniors 9.30-10.15am - training for juniors on pitch 10am - gates open to public 10.30-11.15am - players' training session/Oxford Mail penalty shoot out (fans v players)/ competition to win new home shirt 11.15am - juniors v The First XI 11.30am - new kit unveiled by Miss Oxford 11.45am - tours of the ground, skills sessions, player autographs 1pm - raffle/draw to be mascot for Manchester United v Portsmouth friendly 2pm - final whistle