Chris Wilder has revealed that the signing of Ryan Doble came after a scouting mission back in the summer.

Doble, who is set to play for Wales Under 21s this weekend, joined Oxford United on loan from Southampton on Tuesday.

And Wilder is hoping that the 20-year-old, who has been involved with the full Welsh squad, could make a big impact during his time at the Kassam Stadium.

The U’s boss explained that Doble caught the eye in what some people would dub a meaningless match, but he feels that going to as many matches as possible over the course of the season reaps rewards.

“I saw him in action when a Southampton XI played at Winchester in a pre-season friendly,” Wilder said.

“We are out there all the time taking in games and are always looking at different people that might improve you.

“A lot of the games might seem meaningless to some, but you never know who or what you’re going to see that might lead to things in the future.”

Wilder tried to sign Doble earlier in the season, but for one reason or another, couldn’t push the transfer through.

“I made enquiries to bring him into the football club in January, but we couldn’t do it at the time.” he said.

“However, we’ve had some fantastic reports on him and are delighted to get him now.”

Jack Midson has gone on loan to Barnet to free up finances to bring Doble in, and Wilder says that making the decisions to get rid of players is never easy.

“We are not prepared to let things happen – we are continually wanting to drive changes and try and take the team to another level.

“I understand that people have their favourites and some decisions are hard to take, but the squad now compared to what it was when I came in is a million miles ahead.

“We want to keep that progression going and that means you have to make tough calls along the way.”

* MIDSON and Sam Deering, both on loan at Barnet until the end of the season, will have Martin Allen as their manager after he was named as the club’s boss until the summer.