CHRIS Wilder believes his work in the transfer market can reap rewards – starting with the visit of Gillingham on Saturday.

The Oxford United manager put the final touches to re-shaping his squad yesterday by letting winger Sam Deering go on loan to Blue Square Bet Premier League side Newport County until January.

And with the arrival of Steve Maclean, Ben Futcher and Paul Wotton at the end of last week, Wilder believes that the changes of personnel can give United the boost they need to revive their season.

The U’s have lost their last four games and have slipped to 18th in the npower League Two table.

But Wilder believes that victory tomorrow will prove a catalyst in their season.

“It’s all about us getting back on track and I am sure we can turn this round,” he said.

“We are only six points off the play-offs.”

United’s manager added: “We are sending Sam to Newport to get him some games under his belt and to play some competitive matches.

“I am happy with what we have got here now. The three players that have come in have given us a big boost.

“Ideally, we would have liked to have spent more time working with them because they were done in a bit of a hurry.

“With Maclean it was literally the day before the Rotherham game. It was almost a case of giving them some boots and saying ‘get out there and play’.

“It’s been good to have them in the building for a week which has enabled us to work with them.”

Wilder is confident the trio will prove great assets for United, and had already enquired about making all their stays at the Kassam Stadium longer.

“We are keen to extend their loan spells – beyond the month with Steven, and beyond January for the other two,” he said.

“I have spoken to all of them and they have expressed an interest in staying longer.

“They have been impressed with how we go about things at this football club. They have had proper careers as players – they know what’s right and wrong.

“We don’t just sign anybody – we want to get the right sort of player here and we do a lot of hard work in looking at what type of character they are.

“And these are the right ones in terms of attitude, experience and from a financial point of view as well.

“They have given us a great boost and I am sure they will get a decent reception from the fans – as the players always do.”

Deering, who was one of the players who helped United to promotion following their thrilling win against York at Wembley, has failed to establish a first-team spot this season.

Last month, the 19-year-old had a week’s trial at League One outfit Leyton Orient, before rejecting a loan move to Kidderminster Harriers on his return to the Kassam Stadium.

It will be the second time Deering has played for Dean Holdsworth’s side, having spent a successful spell at Spytty Park where he was part of the side that won promotion from Conference South last season.

He will link-up with former U’s duo Danny Rose and Eddie Odhiambo.

When asked if Deering’s departure was likely to be the last bit of transfer activity for the time being, Wilder added: “That’s it for now.”