Oxford United took measures to maintain their promotion form ahead of a busy December by making two loan signings from Sky Bet Championship clubs.

Striker Chris Maguire joined from Rotherham United half an hour before yesterday’s 5pm deadline, following left back Jordan Evans, who arrived from Fulham in the morning.

Both will be in the squad for tomorrow’s League Two game at Hartlepool United and will stay until mid-January.

U’s head coach Michael Appleton knows all about the Scotland international, who was capped twice in 2011, after working together at Portsmouth and expects him to make an impact.

He said: “I’ve worked with him before and know he will fit in here.

“He is a full international, he has played at a higher level, and he has a fantastic winning mentality.

“He will want to impress here and can play in a number of roles across the front line.

“We are waiting for confirmation on Ryan Taylor but it looks like he will be out of action for a month or so with the groin injury he picked up on Tuesday against Newport, but we have acted quickly to bring Chris in to the squad and he will be an excellent addition.”

Oxford Mail:

  • Scotland international Chris Maguire                Picture: Portsmouth News

While Maguire, 26, has more than 50 goals to his name in a career which has included spells at Aberdeen, Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday, Evans is a rookie.

The defender has youth international caps with Wales, but is yet to make a senior debut.

A loan move away from Craven Cottage has been on the agenda for a while and the experience of former clubmate Ryan Williams at United sealed the deal.

He said: “Ryan was here for the best part of a year and I remember, he came back to tell the boys about it.

“I’ve been desperate to get out all season because I just want to play first-team games.

“So as soon as I heard Oxford were interested, I wanted to come here.”