OXFORD United have signed Jordan Archer on a short-term deal as cover while Simon Eastwood is injured.

The 26-year-old was able to join outside of the transfer window due to being a free agent, having been released by Millwall in the summer.

United felt they had to act after Eastwood was struck down by a knee injury which is due to rule him out until the new year – but could take until the end of January to heal.

And Karl Robinson, who brought in Jonathan Mitchell last season when his No 1 was injured, decided to go for experience.

The paperwork was completed in time for Archer to face Shrewsbury Town tomorrow.

The U’s boss said: “Last time we went for a young goalkeeper.

“My advice to everyone was to get the best keeper we can get, whatever it costs.

“Tiger (United chairman Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth) said to me ‘do whatever you need to do’.

“We were talking to three goalkeepers, but two would have been on seven-day emergency loans.

“The permanent (Archer) intrigued me because we know he’s ours for four weeks and if we need him for another week or two we could do that.

“He gets to know the lads, whereas you might bring one keeper in on loan for seven days and he does fantastically well but his team could have a sticky patch and he could get recalled.

“Jordan went up from this division with Millwall in (in 2017) and had a big input into them staying in the Championship for the next two seasons.

“And he’s a full international with Scotland, so from that point of view we’re happy with it and we just need to make sure now he fits in really well.”

Archer had offers after leaving Millwall at the end of last season, but was unable to agree terms.

He has since been training with Aston Villa and after finalising the paperwork in time he is looking forward to getting started for United at home to Shrewsbury Town in Sky Bet League One tomorrow.

He said: “I’ve been desperate to play football since the summer.

“A few things haven’t quite gone my way, a few decisions I’ve made with my agents, but I’m delighted to be here.

“The club’s on a fantastic run, the gaffer’s fantastic with great coaching staff and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”