OXFORD United are close to appointing two key personnel in Des Buckingham’s backroom staff.

The head coach, who was appointed on November 16, has been forced to work without an assistant and analyst during his first five and a half weeks in the job.

When former boss Liam Manning left for Sky Bet Championship side Bristol City on November 7, he took with him his assistant Chris Hogg and first team coach analyst James Krause.

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Buckingham though had positive news on the search for replacement backroom staff members, confirming a deal for an assistant should be finalised by the end of the day today.

Speaking after the 2-1 defeat away to Northampton Town, he added: “The analyst is done, so I can tell you a bit more about that in the week, as he still needs to speak to his employers.

“They’re people that I know, and one that I’ve worked with closely, but both from within this country.

“The staff here have been excellent, the ones that have stepped in and stepped up. Shorty [Craig Short] and Pricey [Lewis Price] have been invaluable to me.

“It will not only help me, but it will help the playing group, and help us do everything we want to do a lot quicker.”