Steele scored against Oxford for Northwich last season

Oxford boss Darren Patterson has revealed he tried to re-sign Northwich striker Lee Steele this summer.

The 34-year-old, who had an injury-hit two-year spell at Oxford between 2002 and 2004, will face his former side on Tuesday in the Blue Square Premier.

Steele famously scored the goal that confirmed United's relegation in 2006.

Patterson told BBC Oxford: "Lee is an excellent player, one I tried to get at the end of last season. He's a scorer, it's something we have to be aware of."

606: DEBATE At 34 would he really have been the 20-goal-a-season striker the U's need to get out of the division? EB

Former Shrewsbury striker Steele scored just four goals for Oxford in 24 matches for the U's, although most of his appearances were from the bench.

Steele left the U's in 2004 and joined Leyton Orient, before scoring the winner in a 3-2 thriller on the final day of the 2005/06 season to seal United's relegation to non-league football.

The ex-Chester man, who is under contract at the Victoria Stadium until next summer, scored the only goal as the Vics beat Oxford 1-0 last season.

Meanwhile, the U's have sent young strikers Matt Taylor and Alex Fisher out on loan.

Taylor has joined Banbury United on a month-long loan, with Fisher, who has scored for the U's first team, going to Bognor Regis Town on work experience.