Darren Patterson spent much of yesterday waiting anxiously by his phone, hoping for the call that would strengthen Oxford United.

But it hasn't been easy getting the players he wants, and the U's caretaker manager (pictured above) may have to go into tomorrow's relegation battle at Chester without any new faces.

United's position in the table - fourth from bottom in Coca-Cola League Two - hasn't helped.

"I'd be lying if I said otherwise," Patterson stated.

"We were very close to getting a couple in last week, but I was let down at the last moment.

"I've got a lot of contacts in the game but sometimes the geographical situation doesn't help, sometimes it's our position in the table, and right now, the closeness to the busy Christmas period isn't helping.

"Players are also unsure of the situation here because they don't know whether any new manager coming in will want them."

Patterson would not reveal the positions he wanted to strengthen, but on current form it could be argued that all bar the goalkeeper could be improved.

"I'm having to prioritise the areas that I feel need strengthening at the moment," he said.

"I spoke to the chairman last week and he said I could bring players in, but I will not do it just for the sake of it.

"I'm looking for honest, hungry players who come into work every day and want to work, to make themselves better players and to help the team."

Clubs are allowed a maximum of eight loan players during the season and United have already called up Jamie Hand and Sam Togwell.

Fit-again strikers Tommy Mooney and Steve Basham are both available for selection for the U's at the Deva Stadium, as are Rob Wolleaston and Terry Parker, who played in Tuesday's goalless reserve game at QPR.

Patterson was set to announce his squad before the team set off for Cheshire later today.

"The lads who played last week will be sweating on their place - as I would be had I played like that," he said.