Liam Manning says the club still has “quite a bit to do” in terms of transfer activity before the start of the season.

Oxford United have made five signings so far this summer with the recruitment of Ruben Rodrigues, Jordan Thorniley, Josh McEachran, James Beadle and Fin Stevens.

The free transfers of Rodrigues, Thorniley and McEachran were all announced over a four-day period providing a boost to Manning’s squad.

Goalkeeper Beadle and right back Stevens, both under the age of 21, have also signed for the club on season-long loans from Premier League sides Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.

Despite five signing through the door, Manning insists the club will “continue to push really hard” on new additions.

He said: “It’s a massive bonus reporting back with new faces that we’ve added to the group.

“It allows you to have a good six-week block with them before the first league game, and there are obviously advantages to accelerating relationships, getting tactical principles in and building the culture that we want.

“I’ve been really pleased with a lot of the work that we’ve been able to do so far, we’ve still got quite a bit to do, which we’ll continue to push really hard, to try and get done.”

The U’s boss admitted he didn’t take “too much of a break” as work behind the scenes on the squad “needed doing”.

He admitted he is in constant communication with the club's head of recruitment, Ed Waldron calling him around eight times a day.

Manning said: “The perception is that the season’s finished and everyone’s on a break and on holiday.

“Of course, we take a bit of a break and make the most of the opportunity to go overseas.

“I was in for a few days after the Accrington game and then I went to Turkey for a week, but you don’t stop.

“The work that we needed to do on the squad and other bits behind the scenes, there was a lot of work that needed doing and that still continues.

“We’re by no means finished on what we need to do, to get where we want to but I was ready to go, to be totally honest.

“I didn’t need too much of a break, I’m terribly obsessive and driven, and hungry.

“I want to work and do well for the club so cracked straight into it.

“Ed Waldron hasn’t stopped on the phone in terms of agents, and I probably call him eight times a day at the minute.

“He’s been massive and hugely instrumental in terms of some of the really good work we’ve been able to do so far.”

Rodrigues joins after his deal at Notts County expired, with the attacker scoring 19 goals and bagging 15 assists, to help the Magpies secure promotion to Sky Bet League Two during the 2022/23 season.

A second stint at United is in store for Thorniley who joined the club from Blackpool after his contract expired last month.

The 26-year-old centre back previously joined the club on a season-long loan from the Seasiders at the beginning of the 2021/22 campaign.

Whilst, 30-year-old Oxford-born midfielder McEachran signed for the U’s after his contract with MK Dons expired on June 30.