LINFIELD ACE SET TO FLY THE COOP

OXFORD United are ready to push through a deal for Joel Cooper after being blown away by the Linfield winger in scouting missions earlier this season.

Transfer talks are at an advanced stage and a fee has been agreed with the Blues for the 24-year-old, who joined the Windsor Park club from Glenavon in 2018 and still has a year of his contract to run.

Cooper and his representatives have yet to agree personal terms but confirmation of the move is expected before the end of the week.

It is understood the League One club watched the pacy forward (above) a number of times before lockdown and were suitably impressed.

One source close to the process said: “Joel had been in tremendous form for Linfield and it didn’t go unnoticed across the water.

“Oxford watched the player several times earlier in the season and they were immediately impressed. They really liked what they saw.”

Cooper, who scored 13 goals and provided 17 assists for Linfield last season, is poised to become the THIRD Irish

League player to join Oxford in recent seasons.

Gavin Whyte moved there in 2018 before joining Cardiff City last summer, while Mark Sykes signed for the Us from Glenavon 18 months ago.

and Ballymena United have failed in bids to have a number of suspensions lifted for next Monday’s Irish Cup semi-finals at Windsor Park.

Jamie Harney (inset) and Garry Breen remain unavailable for Cliftonville’s tie with Glentoran, while Steven Mccullough is out of Ballymena’s derby with Coleraine.

United boss David Jeffrey will also serve a touchline ban for the last-four showdown.