Oxford United boss Chris Wilder says he is now playing a waiting game after getting the bulk of his squad in place for next season.

Wilder already has a group of around 17 for the 2009-10 campaign after a spate of signings and new deals in the first few weeks of the summer close-season break.

And he will bring in the right players when they become available, rather than rushing any decisions, he told the club’s website.

“I think it's a really important season for the players, myself and the football club,” he said.

“We have done what we needed to do with the players we brought in and won't be rushed now with the new additions to the squad which will take us up to 19 or 20. It's just a waiting game to get those players in “We feel we have players with the right calibre and character so far and are delighted with them.

“There are things flying about and we are just making sure we are ready to act if things happen.

“But I think that with the amount of changes we had at the end of the season it was important that we got it right early, and in the next three or four weeks before we all come back we can box it all off.”

Speculation has been rife that Oxford United are one of the clubs chasing Kidderminster striker Matthew Barnes-Homer, although he wouldn’t be cheap.

Meanwhile, Wilder says there’s not much he can do about the bookies making Oxford one of the favourites for promotion from the Blue Square Premier next season.

“What the bookmakers do is out of my control, but I think everyone who has a connection with the club realises that we are always the club people want to beat and are always going to be seen as one of the favourites,” he said.

“I don't think Luton should have been relegated, they came down because of something that happened off the pitch, but would have finished half-way up League Two.

“I think we are one of half a dozen teams who will be challenging with them. That's the pressure we have to play under here.

“I think people have to be realistic as well and keep their feet on the ground.

“We have made some excellent signings, but it is going to be a very competitive league.

“Wrexham have had a big clear-out which I think has gone unnoticed, but they will be strong.

“Mansfield have strengthened, Stevenage will be right in there, and the clubs that were around the play-offs, like Cambridge and Histon, will be there or thereabouts as well, so it will be a difficult league to get out of, but one we hope we can win this year.”