MICHAEL Appleton is thrilled Oxford United have been able to reinforce their squad with players who will be able to cope with the step up to Sky Bet League One.

A quiet summer on the recruitment front changed rapidly at the end of this week.

Goalkeeper Simon Eastwood joined on Thursday, while striker Wes Thomas and centre back Aaron Martin have been unveiled today.

The trio were released from Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City and Coventry City this summer.

And the U’s head coach is confident their experience of playing at a higher level will be important as he seeks to build a squad capable of competing in the wake of promotion to the third tier.

He said: “If you look at the pedigree of the three they have all played at a higher level and are more than capable of strengthening the strong squad we’ve already got.

“It helps us going into a different challenge but it’s a league they are all used to.

“You want as many players in your squad who are going to give you a headache and give you competition for places.”