SINGAPORE, Oct 4 Reuters Oil prices were subdued on Friday, but remained on track for strong weekly gains, as investors weighed the prospect of a wider Middle East conflict disrupting crude flows against a wellsupplied global market.

Brent crude futures were flat at 77.55 a barrel, as of 0646 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were little changed at 73.65 a barrel.

Both benchmarks were headed for weekly gains of about 8.

Bearish bets on oil have found some room to unwind this week amid mounting concerns over potential supply disruptions in the Middle East, along with optimism that China39;s recent economic stimulus efforts may offer some uplift in demand, IG market strategist Yeap Jun Rong said.

The question now is whether there will be an actual disruption in crude supplies, and that should keep prices in a waiting game over the weekend, Yeap added.

The U.S. is discussing whether it would support Israeli strikes on Iran39;s oil facilities as retaliation for Tehran39;s missile attack on Israel, President Joe Biden said on Thursday, while Israel39;s military hit Beirut with new airstrikes in its battle against Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

Biden39;s comments contributed to a 5 rally in oil prices on Thursday, as Israel weighs its options after its archfoe Iran launched its largestever assault on Tuesday.

Supply risks are back in focus as tension in the Middle East rises, but we expect the impact to be limited, ANZ analysts said in a note.

While…