DES Buckingham believes Oxford United are in as good a position as possible to counteract any of the club’s loan stars being recalled in January.

The U’s currently have five players in on loan, with three of those from Premier League sides.

It is that top flight trio of James Beadle, Fin Stevens and Stan Mills, who United will worry about most regarding a potential recall, before being sent elsewhere during the second half of the season.

Oxford Mail: James Beadle is loan at Oxford United from Brighton & Hove AlbionJames Beadle is loan at Oxford United from Brighton & Hove Albion (Image: Mike Allen)

Oxford Mail: Fin Stevens is loan at Oxford United from BrentfordFin Stevens is loan at Oxford United from Brentford (Image: Mike Allen)

Oxford Mail: Stan Mills is on loan at Oxford United from EvertonStan Mills is on loan at Oxford United from Everton (Image: Mike Allen)

U’s head coach Buckingham is confident though that if the worst case scenario happened, and any loan players were recalled, the club would be able to act swiftly to negate the damage done.

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He told BBC Radio Oxford’s The Dub podcast: “They’re here and playing extremely well in a team that’s trying to progress and have a successful season.

“Hopefully the way that they’re looked after here, the club that loans them to us can see how they’re developing and how they’re playing, so if there was an opportunity to be recalled, I’d like to think that they’d think twice because they see how well they are doing.

“Of course, we haven’t got too much control over that should they want to, but it’s about making sure when we look at recruitment and the work the recruitment team do, there’s succession planning and back-up plans.

“Should it happen, I’d like to think we’re as well-placed as we could be to make sure we cover ourselves quickly.”