KARL Robinson has played down any links about an Oxford United loan return for Gavin Whyte.

The winger appears out of favour at Cardiff City, where he has only made the matchday squad twice this season and did not get on in either game.

United are in the market for a high-quality wide man before the transfer window shuts a week today.

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But Robinson wants someone who is a specialist on the left flank, which would appear to rule out a return for Whyte 14 months after leaving the U's for south Wales.

The head coach said: "We're desperate for a left winger.

"We're playing Sykesy (Mark Sykes) in there when it's not his natural position.

"It would be nice if we could find a natural who could play inside as well. We'll see.

"He (Whyte)'s certainly a very good player, whether he's available or not it's one we're not too sure about."

In midweek Robinson hinted there could yet be players moved out before the window closes.

If they were over 21 it would make room in the salary cap and free up spaces in the squad, which is limited to 22 'senior' players - with United having 21 qualifying members of the squad as things stand.

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What happens next is entirely down to which targets become available.

Robinson said: "They could be senior players (going out), depending on what we can bring in, which is forever changing.

"One day you don't think you're going to get any business done, then all of a sudden you get chucked a name and think 'wow, he would certainly make our starting XI better'.

"Right now nobody is going to go, but as you move forward if something becomes available that I think is a necessity for the club we'll certainly do a deal.

"We're not shy of dropping one or two out to make room for somebody."