Oxford United aim for their fifth successive home win against York City on Saturday, but manager Darren Patterson is expecting another testing match.

The Minstermen lost 1-0 at Mansfield in a FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay in midweek, but were the better side for much of the game.

“For both clubs, it’s the chance to return to league action and concentrate on getting points on the board again to improve their position in the Blue Square Premier.

“It’s a big game for us,” Patterson said. “We want to continue climbing the league.

“Mickey (Lewis) and I watched them at Mansfield in the Cup, and they’re a decent side, so it’s going to be a tough game.

“It was a very similar game to ours last week because Mansfield were booed off in the first half as York were completely dominating the game. They played very well.

“They’ve changed their formation quite a lot so there’s the possibility of that, and we’ve covered a lot of different options, and have worked on it in training. But it’s all about us really from now on.

“If we can play like we have done recently, it gives us a good chance, but we won’t be under-estimating York.

“They’re decent wide. They started with a 4-3-3 and then went 4-4-2 although recently they’ve been playing a 3-5-2, and played all three formations last Saturday.

“Their wide players are decent, and they’ve got good movement. They’re pleasing on the eye, pass the ball very well so if you allow them a lot of time and space, they can hurt you.”

One of the most encouraging aspects of October for Oxford United has been the development of 17-year-old Sam Deering, who has been rewarded for his good showings in the first team with a new contract.

He put pen to paper on a new two-and-a-half year deal this week.

Said the U’s boss: “It’s fantastic news for the boy, and for everyone really. He’s a good footballer and we believe he can really kick on and go on to bigger and better things.

“As he’s probably been told about 50 times, this is only the start and where the real hard work starts.

“But we’re pleased for the boy, he’s earned it, and it’s a real carrot for the rest of the young players.

“It shows that if they’re good enough, I’ll put them in, and if they’re doing well enough, they’ll stay. Also, if that’s the case, we’ll give them a contract sooner rather than later.

“Sam’s really in my thinking now,” he added. “I want to get the kids involved, but I’ll only do it if they’re good enough, and they’re physically strong enough.

“The boy’s not the biggest, but he has done the business, and he’s earned his place in the team.

“I’m a big believer that whatever league the club are in, whether it’s Conference or whatever, you should always have a youth system that can produce kids.

“It generates a lot of interest locally and from a finance point of view, it’s absolutely fantastic.

“Firstly, they’re not on massive money, and if they end up doing as well as you hope and pray, you end up selling them on to bigger and better things, as we’ve had to do in the past.

“We’ve let a lot of younger players, before they’ve even reached the first team, go for nothing just to get money.

“Now they know they’re going to get opportunities in the first team. There are plenty that have gone, that would have been in my team and would have been worth a lot of more money.”