MICHAEL Appleton remains optimistic of securing a new signing in the next 24 hours, but would not be drawn on speculation Nasser El Khayati was poised for a loan move to Oxford United.

It comes as Ryan Taylor's release has been confirmed, with the striker joining Plymouth Argyle.

When speaking in the aftermath of Saturday's 3-0 win against Newcastle United, the head coach was confident of tying up a deal by this morning.

El Khayati, who has made just nine appearances for Queens Park Rangers this season, has been strongly linked.

The Oxford Mail understands there is interest, but Appleton was remaining tight-lipped this morning.

He said: "It would be very wrong of me to start making comments about other people’s players."

But the U's boss hinted the move he was speaking about on Saturday may have been hit by a late complication, which could see them switch to alternative targets.

He said: "It’s like anything, you think you have done a deal with one club and then the agent gets involved, then the agent’s agent gets involved.

"If the one we were talking about at the weekend is going to happen it will be today.

"If not we have two or three others lined up and that would probably take until tomorrow before it’s done."