Oxford United have missed out on hotshot striker Robbie Dale after a "row" over who really owns him.

The Blyth Spartans striker, who smashed 37 goals last season on his way to helping the north-east outfit win the UniBond Premier title, spent three weeks on trial with the U's during pre-season.

But his 45 minutes at Didcot Town last week will be his only public appearance for the club.

The 22-year-old striker has returned to the north-east after Blyth said they wanted him back.

However, U's boss Jim Smith says he is not convinced Dale was still a Blyth player.

"We were led to believe he was a free agent because his contract with Blyth finished at the end of last season and he wasn't being paid through the summer. But they said they had an option on him."

Blyth Spartans boss Harry Dunn had revealed at the weekend that Dale was likely to reject a move to Oxford.

Dunn said: "He is disappointed with the offer, which would have to tempt him away from his lucrative new job in Newcastle. So I think he'll be staying with us."

Smith added: "We weren't aware that Blyth had an option on Robbie's contract when he came down to us.

"We had a look at him in training, he played in our training game against Brighton and then against Didcot last week and we discussed what we could do next.

"Robbie feels he wants to stay in the north-east, so that is what he will do. He's a lovely lad and we wish him well.

"It was a gamble for us, rather than a banker, so we'll carry on in training and continue to build up to the start of the season."

Smith said Dale was due to play for United in their pre-season friendly at Oxford City last saturday which in the end was rained off but Blyth pulled him out of it which raised a few eyebrows in the Oxford camp.

The legal position of players whose contracts have finished but where a club has an option on them appearts to be a grey area, and it certainly is in this case.

"Yes, it's a very grey area," Smith said. "I'm sure if he took it to the PFA and they represented him in the matter, he would win. I still think, from what I've heard, that he's a free agent.

"But he's gone back now. And the bottom line is that you've got to have people who want to play for you. This was a great opportunity for him but it wasn't to be."

According to reports, Dale did not impress greatly at Didcot in any case.

But Smith is left in the position of searching again for a striker.

"We're still looking for a front player and it isn't easy. Good strikers don't want to drop into non-League."

Fans are concerned that, while United's defence and midfield looks strong, the team appears light up front.

Last season's 13-goal top scorer Steve Basham has been nursing an abdominal strain during pre-season. Alongside him in the squad are Yemi Odubade and Billy Beechers, plus another triallist former Kettering and Rushden striker Rob Duffy.

The news on Basham seems more optimistic, however, and he may be able to play some part in United's first home friendly, against Chesterfield.

"On listening to the physio, Neil Sullivan, 'Bash' could be ready for Saturday," Smith said.

"Eddie Hutchinson is OK now and he'll play at Eastleigh tomorrow."