OXFORD United could sign up to half a dozen new players this month, as the club looks to add to a squad hit by three loanees returning to their parent clubs in one day.

James Beadle returned to Brighton & Hove Albion and was immediately sent on loan to Sky Bet Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, while injuries have ended the loans of Kyle Edwards and Stan Mills.

Injuries to a further five first team players – defenders Greg Leigh, Sam Long and Stephan Negru, plus wingers Marcus Browne and Josh Murphy – had already depleted the options available to U’s head coach Des Buckingham.

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However, it could be a busy few weeks ahead for United’s recruitment team, with Buckingham saying up to six signings could be made before the January transfer window closes.

He said: “It’s about making sure we get the right person in those profiles, because whether it be making sure they can play the way we want, but also making sure we’ve done a thorough background check on their history, in terms of injuries.

“We’re well-positioned and we’ve done a lot of work, and we’re almost waiting on the clubs of the players we’re speaking to, for them to sign certain things off.

“We’re in the best place we can be at the moment, and the timeframe on that is the sooner the better, but it won’t be at the expense of rushing it.

“There’s potentially up to six new faces we could see coming in this window, and that will allow us to shape it a little bit quicker than we would’ve been able to do before.

“When you look at the team and how I want us to play, we’ll try and recruit players that fit that style.

“Some will be loans, and there may be one or two permanents that come in. It’s just dependent on what players are available, and how we want to start reshaping the team.”

In addition to Beadle, Edwards and Mills, the U’s also saw striker Sonny Perkins return to Leeds United this month, while the window in general has seen a number of players have their loans cut short across the Football League this month.

Asked whether United will reconsider making season-long loan signings in the future, Buckingham responded: “It’s a tricky one because clubs want to send their players out and have security for them.

“The problem is when you do well, and the team does well, it means those players are playing well within the team. When they do that, they attract interest from elsewhere.

“We’re aware of that when we do it, and what we need to do is make sure should they be recalled, we’re ready to go again in January.”