OXFORD United’s hopes of signing a striker in time for tonight’s game came up short.

To face Barnsley tonight, the U’s needed to complete a signing by noon yesterday.

Boss Karl Robinson was hopeful of securing a loan with a couple of hours remaining, but the deadline passed without incident.

With his trip to the Netherlands late last week failing to yield anything concrete, it means the race to bring in reinforcements looks like going down to the wire.

United have until 11pm on Thursday to get deals over the line.

But Robinson is not panicking.

He said: “Since the game last Tuesday we’ve been working round the clock to meet people and understand what people are trying to get out of us to make this happen.

“In some ways when you look at this time of year you always think you can get more.

“We (the buyer) always think we can get cheaper, they (the seller) always think they can get more.

“I know the one I wanted from day one and he’s still available.

“Do I wait? If you wait you might miss out on the next two.

“Or do you press the button and you know you’ve got one? That’s where we’re at.”

United could have to deal with more than just Barnsley tonight.

Heavy snow is forecast during the game, with the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning from 9pm.

Oxford is due to be hit by sleet earlier in the evening.