MARK Sykes is en route to England to finalise his move to Oxford United, boss Karl Robinson has confirmed.

Glenavon announced yesterday a deal had been agreed to sell the 21-year-old midfielder to United, who moved quickly be seal the deal in front of Port Vale.

Sykes, who has played for Northern Ireland's under-21 side alongside Gavin Whyte, has agreed personal terms and will have a medical in the next 24 hours.

Robinson said: "He’s on a flight as we speak coming across to do a medical.

"We’ve agreed a transfer fee and personal terms. We can’t officially announce it yet but we’re not far away.

"The medical will either be late tonight or first thing in the morning.

"He’s a player we looked at in the summer.

"I’m here to build a club with fresh impetus and new players of a good age. He’s somebody that before Michael (O’Neill, Northern Ireland manager) and I fell out he was the first one who put me on to him.

"He spoke about the quality he has and the type of person he is.

"If you look at his games record from someone of 21 it’s quite remarkable. He scores goals from midfield.

"He will take time to bed in, but we said that about Gavin Whyte. It’s one of Gavin’s good friends, which helps from that transition.

"We think we’re going to have a really good player on our hands."