Chris Wilder began to reshape his Oxford United squad yesterday, allowing striker Jack Midson to join Southend on loan.

The U’s manager said that he feels he needs to bring in two or three new faces – and that means players have to move out to accommodate them.

And Midson, who has been in United’s 18-man squad for every game this season, is the first to go, until December 29.

Wilder takes his side to Burton tomorrow in the first round of the FA Cup, hoping to end a poor run of results which have seen his side lose four of their last five games.

However, the fact that he is only looking to tweak the squad is, he says, because the performances have not been as bad as the results.

“We’re at the 15-game stage where you take stock and see where you’re at,” he said.

“Our performances on the whole haven’t been that bad, but four defeats in five is not good enough to we need to tweak it around a bit.

“We have to analyse the squad, see what areas we can improve, and what players could maybe do with a rest.

“Jack has done great for us, but we feel that we need to change things around a bit.”

He added: “I have to do what I feel is right.

“I am not scared to make big decisions, because if I feel it will improve us, I will do it.

“You look at everybody, and that includes your important players.

“I have let Luke Foster, Adam Murray and Billy Turley go, all of whom were fans’ favourites.

“At the time, those sorts of decisions aren’t that popular, but you have to go with what you feel.”

Wilder expects new signings at the club next week.

“We have irons in the fire and I would be pretty confident of having new faces before the Rotherham game,” he said.

“Financially it’s a balancing act, but I think we’ll see activity next week.”

Meanwhile, Oxford United have brought in Andrew Dubowski as a conditioning coach, writes MARK EDWARDS.

The former Royal Navy physical training instructor linked up with the U’s this week, and will be involved at Burton tomorrow, taking the warm-up as well as making sure substitutes are ready as soon as they are called upon.

He is relishing the chance to get to work.

“They are an extremely fit group, and lots of great things are already in place here,” he said.

“I’m hoping that I will be able to just strengthen them up a bit and get them all in peak condition.”

Boss Chris Wilder said Dubowski’s arrival is key.

“With a young squad, we wanted to work on building up the strength that you need in this league. Having the right conditioning can really help,” he said.