Graham Rix unveiled his first signing as Oxford United's caretaker boss - and promised excitement.

Left winger Courtney Pitt joined the U's on transfer deadline day yesterday on a free transfer from Portsmouth. He has signed until the end of the season.

Rix said: "I know Courtney from his Portsmouth days and know what he's capable of. He's an exciting player and I just hope he performs as I know he can."

The 22-year-old was at Chelsea from the age of 12 until 19, but never played in the first team at Stamford Bridge.

Rix took him to Fratton Park in a £200,000 deal in 2001, but while he was an ever-present when Rix was in charge, the arrival of Harry Redknapp proved a disaster for him personally.

"I was playing every week, but the change of manager ended that," Pitt said. "He had his own ideas and his own players, and although I tried to break in, I couldn't."

He has had two successful loans at Coventry and Luton this season to gain more first-team experience, and he's not worried about the different demands of the third division.

"It's football, isn't it?" he said. "I've played in the second division this season, so it's not going to be so different to that."

His main attributes are his pace, a good technique and running with the ball, so he should give United an extra dimension, especially as they have not had an out-and-out left winger this season.

"It's nice to come to a team that's near the top and trying to win promotion, and I just hope I can help them do that," said Westminster-born Pitt.

Rix says he has tried to get the players to try things in training, and not be afraid if they don't come off.

You sense there is much more freedom of expression available to the players than they had under the more rigid system used by Ian Atkins.

Rix said: "I've come in and hopefully given them a lift, and I'm trying to encourage them to enjoy themselves, to enjoy training and to play with a smile on their faces.

"I can't stress enough that I've been ever so impressed with what I've seen this week, but the proof of the pudding will be against Doncaster on Saturday.

United's caretaker boss has asked his whole squad to prepare themselves as though they are playing tomorrow.

"They don't know who's playing yet, so I'll be keeping them all on edge," he said.