DEREK Fazackerley is optimistic Oxford United will add to their squad during their training camp in Portugal.

The squad landed in the Algarve last night and boss Pep Clotet is due to take charge of his first session this morning.

Former Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Mike Williamson was a new face on board as the U’s jetted off yesterday.

The 33-year-old trained with United on Friday and is likely to feature in one of their games during the week-long camp.

Last year’s trip to Spain saw movement in both directions. Chris Maguire and Joe Rothwell joined midway through the week as United agreed a deal with Bristol City for Callum O’Dowda.

This time there is again a need for strengthening – even after Jon Obika’s arrival last week, the squad remains several players short.

The U’s were not helped by a fortnight’s delay while Michael Appleton left for Leicester City and Clotet was appointed.

But Fazackerley is confident further deals are close, raising the possibility of new faces arriving in Portugal.

The assistant head coach said: “We’re hopeful.

“We’ve been working very hard to make sure we’re in contact with players we were looking at prior to Michael leaving.

“There’s still a bit of work to do, but now Pep’s here we’ll be able to press forward a bit quicker.

“From a player’s perspective you’re more confident signing for a club when you know who the manager is.

“There shouldn’t be too many obstacles in the way now.

“We’ll put our foot on the gas and hopefully bring two or three in.”

United included two triallists on Saturday, when they fielded separate XIs in each half of the 3-0 win against Oxford City.

Striker Sam Shaban, who has most recently been playing in Lithuania with DFK Dainava after a spell with Farnborough, was joined by Oxford-born midfielder Josh Smile, released by Fulham this summer.

Both will be given another chance once the U’s return from Portugal.

Obika, who signed last week, did not feature against City, while the game was deemed just too soon for Aaron Martin in his recovery from an Achilles injury.

The pair are set to feature in United’s tour games in Albufeira this week, against Middlesbrough on Wednesday or Hull City this Saturday.

Fazackerley said: “We weren’t sure where Jon was from a fitness level, so it would have been an unnecessary risk.

“Aaron trained the whole of last week, but coming back from an Achilles tendon injury on an artificial surface is perhaps not the best environment.

“He’s very close. He will certainly play a part in one of the two games in Portugal.”