Oxford United have been dealt a double blow in the transfer window as the club have missed out on two of their targets.
Both players were at right-back with the club looking for cover for Sam Long following Chris Cadden’s departure, with one a permanent signing and the other a loan.
It is believed that the permanent target is Kilmarnock defender Stephen O’Donnell, but the SPL club wants to keep hold of the 27-year-old until the end of the season.
It doesn’t help the U’s now, but the defender is out of contract in the summer and it’s something the club could explore in a few months times.
U’s boss Karl Robinson told the Oxford Mail: “We were close and the one we thought we had done we got told (on Friday) that it’s not going to happen,” he said.
“That’s a bit of a kick, but I respect the reasons why.
“We were waiting until after the FA Cup games to do a deal but unfortunately the manager feels it’s better the player stays with their team until the end of the season.
“The other one we were trying to buy is also out, so the loan and the buy have crashed down on us in the last 48 hours, ones we thought we could get done.
“It’s not a financial thing, it’s one or two little tweaks here and there that didn’t materialise.
“It’s a bit frustrating and disappointing, but we do have one or two other options we can exploit.”
The U’s boss is also in the hunt for another striker and cover at left-back.
New signing Rob Atkinson, who was expected to be loaned back to Eastleigh, can cover in the full-back position, and injuries seem to be improving as the squad looks to return to winning ways.
Cameron Brannagan, who missed Saturday’s draw at Gillingham after having a pain-killing injection, should be available this weekend, while both Matty Taylor and James Henry could return against Blackpool at the start of February.
