OXFORD United's newly-appointed manager Malcolm Shotton believes loan signing O'Neill Donaldson can help take some of the pressure off main striker Nigel Jemson.

Shotton has taken 28-year-old Donaldson for a month from Sheffield Wednesday and pitched him straight into the side at Nottingham Forest today.

He said: "He's got good pace and a good record for scoring goals. I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on.

"It will take the pressure off Jemson a bit. Jemmo's been having to do quite a lot on his own or with youngsters around him which can be hard for him and hard for them.

"They are ones for the future rather than right now and their turn will come again."

Shotton has been shocked by the extent of the club's casualty list. He has to play central defender Phil Gilchrist at left back at the City Ground because Mike Ford, Simon Marsh, Paul Powell and Mark Angel are all injured.

Phil Whelan, Christophe Remy and Nicky Banger are also sidelined, leaving Shotton to reflect: "We're down to the bare bones.

"With Forest storming away at the top, we're so much the underdogs and hopefully all the pressure's on them. "But I want us to be as professional as we can. We're not going to go there and lie down or be anybody's doormat."

Shotton added: "Pierre van Hooijdonk's scoring goals for fun at the moment, so it will be a good test for our centre backs. He likes to get into a bit of space and have a go at goal, so one will need to stay close to him all the time.

"But all the players should be looking forward to going out there and playing in a game like this. It should be a good test for the team."

Donaldson has played just one Premiership game for Sheffield Wednesday this season.

Shotton revealed his contacts in the north helped to get him the player.

"I spoke to Peter Shreeves, who I know quite well, and Ron Atkinson, and they were very good about it.

"The lad will only be meeting the rest of our players at the team hotel before the game, but hopefully, he can get acquainted quickly and do a good job for us."

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