GARY Waddock is hoping the wait for Oxford United’s first signing of the summer could be over in the next few days.

While there have been plenty of signings completed across Sky Bet League Two in the four weeks since the end of last season, United have remained quiet.

The only news so far has been centred around players already at the club, with Tom Newey, who signed a new one-year contract this week, the last to decide his future.

Waddock knows supporters are keen to see new faces, but assured them lots of work behind the scenes has been taking place and could yield an outcome shortly.

“I’ve had lots of meetings with agents and players and one (deal) will hopefully happen in the next week or so,” the U’s head coach said.

“Everyone wants the signings to happen the day after the end of the season, but there’s a process people have to go through.

“We speak to people and do our homework – I’m not talking about one or two phone calls.

“We are thorough with what we do and you get to know the ones that will be able to work with you.”

He added: “No news is normally good news.

“It means we are working extremely hard to get the right calibre of player in.”

Waddock has been encouraged with the quality of players on the market this summer.

But the U’s boss is attempting to strike a balance between trying to get targets in before pre-season, while leaving room if players suddenly become available closer to the kick-off in August.

He said: “If you go after and get the players straight away you have no room for manoeuvre later on.

“Then a player could become available later that you can’t move for and you would be kicking yourself.

“It’s not a case of rushing into anything.

“It’s more favourable now for the clubs because more players are getting released from contracts due to the financial climate we are in.

“There are talented players out there, but it has to be one that fits your style and the culture.”

The U’s are still looking to add one more game late in their pre-season schedule, with Waddock keen to test his players just before the start of the new campaign.

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