OXFORD United’s long hunt for a training ground could be decided tomorrow.

Representatives from the club are due to meet with Oxford City Council to discuss their requirements for the site already under construction at Horspath, a meeting for members of OxVox, the club’s supporters’ trust, heard last night.

Securing a new training ground has been an issue for several years and after two extensions, United have to leave their Roman Way site at the end of this season.

It was always felt the £4.9m sports complex, funded by Roman Way landlords BMW and run by leisure provider Fusion, would be the most likely location for United’s academy, while facilities at Oxford Brookes University were being considered for the first team.

But after eight months of discussions, Bob Price, leader of Oxford City Council, told the meeting at the Masons Arms in Headington the end was in sight.

He said: “It’s up to them, we will divide it up in a way that makes sense. It’s designed to be suited to Oxford United in whatever way the club wants.

“From our point of view it’s perfect. Hopefully the discussions on Friday will go well.”

While U’s chairman Darryl Eales was unable to attend due to a scouting trip to Europe, the club’s managing director Niall McWilliams was joined by new head of the academy, Dan Harris, in the two-hour discussion.

McWilliams said: “I’m very appreciative of Oxford City Council working with us.

“The training ground is extremely important to make sure we have the appropriate facilities.

“I know talks have been going on for a while.

“There’s a meeting and I’m really hopeful and positive that it will start to move quickly now to make sure we get it over the line.”

Harris stressed that getting the training ground right was at least as important as any matters relating to the stadium when it came to United’s long-term success.

And for him, keeping the first team set-up on the same site as the academy was essential.

He said: “I know the stadium is a big deal for fans, but we’re there once a fortnight. What we do at the training ground is crucial.

“That training ground is going to be really key for us in terms of attracting players.

“At the moment our under 18s train alongside the first team.

“Whatever happens moving forward, we must maintain that.”

Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth also spoke at the meeting, which addressed a wide range of topics from ground ownership, takeover talks, a temporary fourth stand, recruitment as well as supporter groups and stewarding.

McWilliams also confirmed the U’s had been interested in signing Kieffer Moore, but had been out-bid for the striker, who Ipswich Town sold to Barnsley for £750,000 this week.