MICHAEL Appleton has given short shrift to enquiries made about whether Oxford United players would be available during the January transfer window.

Last month the U's head coach revealed several Sky Bet Championship clubs were monitoring his players.

Calls have come in this month to check on their availability, but with Appleton determined to hold on to his star names until at least the summer, the conversations have not lasted long.

The United boss said: "There have been a couple who have asked the question, but they have had a firm ‘get lost’.

"It’s January 9 now and it’s only going to get worse.

"Towards the end of the window I would imagine it will get even busier from that point of view.

"As long as we keep winning games I can’t see it being a problem."

One loan deal has been agreed today, with Robbie Cundy joining Southport for a month.

The Vanarama National League side will provide the centre back with a step-up in quality, having spent the first half of the season with National League South side Oxford City.