DES Buckingham has hinted that Oxford United may still bring in another attacker for their front line before the close of the transfer window.

The U’s added Tottenham Hotspur striker Dane Scarlett on a season-long loan on Monday night, and although he wasn’t registered in time for the Carabao Cup victory over Peterborough United, he should be in contention for Friday night’s league trip to Coventry City.

Scarlett joins Mark Harris and Gatlin O’Donkor as United’s fit centre forward options, while Will Goodwin is set to be out for a minimum of five weeks with an ankle injury.

While discussing the signing of Scarlett, and what that means for O’Donkor, Buckingham suggested that bringing in another attacking player is possible for the club.

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Buckingham said: “It doesn’t push him back down the pecking order. Gats got on because he deserves to get on.

“I think that anyone who’s seen pre-season, we tried him out wide and he was very effective out there for us.

“We’ve given him minutes again against a good Peterborough side and he’s shown he can be effective, but it’s making sure whether it’s now or short-term, that he’s in a space where he continues playing.

“The Championship is another level, and he had a good experience last year at Barnet, and he’s had some really good moments with us already, but we also need to make sure we prepare for what we’re going into.

“We’ve got Mark Harris, and we now have Dane, and Gats is there. If there is the opportunity to bring in someone else, whether it be as a winger or a forward, or a combination of both, we have the ability to do it.

“It’s making sure that if we do it, we get the right one.”

The U’s can call upon Owen Dale, Malcolm Ebiowei, Matt Phillips and Przemyslaw Placheta in wide areas this season, plus Tyler Goodrham, although Buckingham regards him more as a midfielder following his excellent displays there last season.