OXFORD United have announced the deadline day signing of Blackburn Rovers defender Joe Grayson.

The 21-year-old, son of Fleetwood Town manager Simon, joins the U’s on loan for the rest of the season.

Grayson can play both centre back and left back, but has not made a first-team appearance since August 2019 due to a long-term hamstring injury and latterly the coronavirus pandemic.

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The youngster is keen to make up for lost time and believes United are the perfect club at which to do that.

He said: “I was injured for a while and then the pandemic came, so it’s been tough to kick on.

“Oxford have been interested and seen what I’ve done since I’ve come back.

“I couldn’t speak highly enough of the club – it’s exactly what I wanted.

“It’s time to get some men’s football into me.

“It’s a crucial part of my career and time to kick on and hopefully I can do that here.”

Providing he tests negative for Covid, Grayson is available for tomorrow's Papa John's Trophy quarter-final against AFC Wimbledon.

The youngster, who will wear the No 24 shirt, broke through as a midfielder at Blackburn and made his debut back in August 2018.

Grayson enjoyed a successful loan spell at Sky Bet League Two side Grimsby Town in the second half of that season, playing eight times and scoring twice.

The hamstring issue and the pandemic left his 2019/20 campaign in tatters, but he returned late last year with Blackburn’s Under 23s.

Grayson’s versatility means he can fill several positions for Karl Robinson and the U’s head coach has been impressed so far.

“He’s one that we’ve watched for probably 12 months. He’s got a wand of a left foot,” he said.

“Joe wants to come in and fight for the shirt.

“He has respect for what we’ve done but he backs himself and at 21, that’s probably where he is with his career.”