KARL Robinson says he has been given assurances there will be money to spend on the Oxford United squad during the January transfer window.

The head coach received the backing from U’s owner Sumrith ‘Tiger’ Thanakarnjanasuth this week, but stressed any investment would be used wisely.

January can be make or break for campaigns and the club will be hoping to reach the new year still in the mix at the top end of Sky Bet League One.

While United look likely to have several players who are the subject of interest from bigger clubs during that month, Robinson is now optimistic of being able to strengthen.

He said: “I spoke to Tiger and he said ‘if we need things in January the board are willing to back that’. That was great news.

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“I just think it’s a tremendous show of support. Tiger is one of the best people I’ve worked for.

“He’s got a real passion for Oxford and a real desire to do well here.

“He and the board want to make sure we’re in a place that we can be competitive and finish as high as we possibly can.”

No figures were mentioned in terms of the scale of the resources available during the conversation.

But Robinson is adamant United will not take undue risks chasing a promotion challenge which could backfire if they fell short.

He said: “We’ve also got to be sensible, because we don’t want to mess it up for next year.

“There’s always balancing to be done and we have to do it carefully.

“I’m not here for a short period to blow money and leave the club in a bad place.

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“If it’s there to spend and it’s right we’ll do it, but I’m certainly not going to waste money that could be put into the academy or the training ground.

“For the greater good of the club it’s got to be done sustainably, but it’s nice to know that opportunity will be there if it comes along in January.”

United are still yet to make a decision on the free agents who trained with the club last week.

Malik Dijksteel, viewed as having potential for the future, is less pressing, but Jem Karacan was brought in as an option for midfield cover in the next few weeks.

Neither are still training at the club.