Oxford United boss Chris Wilder made a double swoop in the transfer market last night to bolster his squad with a new centre half and full back.

Both Shane Killock, 19, a centre back from Huddersfield Town, and Adam Chapman, a full back from Sheffield United, who is also 19, have joined on emergency loans because of United’s crippling injury list.

The duo have gone straight into the squad for today’s Blue Square Premier game at Eastbourne Borough as the U’s bid for a third straight win.

Killock, a 6ft tall central defender who has had loan spells at Hyde and Blue Square North side Harrogate Town, and who has made one senior start for Huddersfield after progressing through their youth ranks, looks set to line up alongside Luke Foster because Chris Willmott is suspended after collecting five yellow cards.

Chapman, a full back who can play on either side of the defence, and whose three goals helped the Blades to the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals in 2006-7 – ending that season as the Under 18s’ top scorer despite playing in defence – may be on the bench.

He enjoys having the ball at his feet and will provide vital cover over the next month with Chris Carruthers sidelined and Matt Day having to switch to left back.

Oxford United were able to apply for emergency loans because they have defenders Barry Quinn, Carruthers and Joe Burnell, a midfielder who can fill in at right back, all injured, in addition to Willmott’s ban.

Clubs are limited to five loanees on their teamsheet and it was expected that, with that in mind, Wilder would now be letting striker Jamie Guy go back to Colchester, who have recalled him halfway through his loan spell.

United now have five loanees, with James Constable, Lewis Haldane, striker Ricky Sappleton and now Killock and Chapman.

Killock is regarded at Hudderfield as a fine prospect. His one start for the Terriers came in September last season under then manager Andy Ritchie in a Coca-Cola League One match at Crewe, which Huddersfield lost 2-0.

It’s understood Bury were interested in taking him on loan earlier this season when Wilder was No 2 to Alan Knill at Gigg Lane, but the move didn’t materialise.