ASHLEY Smith-Brown was unconcerned by Oxford United’s hunt for a permanent manager when he agreed to join on loan from Manchester City for the rest of the season.

The 21-year-old left back will provide competition with Ricardinho, who has been the only specialist in the position all season.

It is the first completed deal of what is shaping up to be a busy period for United in the run-up to tomorrow’s transfer deadline.

Caretaker boss Derek Fazackerley has acknowledged convincing players to join a club is tougher when there is uncertainty over who will take charge of the side in the medium-term.

But it did not trouble Smith-Brown, whose decision was helped by a glowing review from Isaac Buckley-Ricketts following the winger’s loan switch from City earlier this month.

He said: “These things happen in football.

“I could sign and then two days later the manager gets sacked.

“It’s just something you have to get on with, but I don’t think it was a big factor for me coming in.

“I know a few of the boys and they said good things about the club.

“Isaac’s loving it. He said the boys were great, the fans were great and he had settled in really quickly.

“It makes settling in a lot easier to see a familiar face.

“I know a few of the boys already from England or playing against them when I was younger. I’m just looking forward to it.”

Smith-Brown has not played a senior game for City, but spent last season on loan in the Netherlands, where he made 29 appearances to help NAC Breda win promotion back to the top-flight.

He moved to the Scottish Premier League with Hearts on loan last summer, but a series of injuries limited the England Under 20 international to just three appearances.