Oxford United have signed a new goalkeeper on a short term deal following the injury to Simon Eastwood.
26-year-old free agent Jordan Archer has joined the U’s and was able to sign following his release from Millwall in the summer.
Eastwood, who suffered a knee injury during the win at Southend, is ruled out until new year but could be out for as long as until the end of January.
U’s boss Karl Robinson also brought in a short term goalkeeper last season in Jonathan Mitchell when Eastwood became injured but has opted for an experienced head this time around.
The U’s boss told the Oxford Mail: “Last time we went for a young goalkeeper. My advice to everyone was to get the best keeper we can get, whatever it costs.
“Tiger (United chairman Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth) said to me ‘do whatever you need to do’. We were talking to three goalkeepers, but two would have been on seven-day emergency loans.
“The permanent (Archer) intrigued me because we know he’s ours for four weeks and if we need him for another week or two we could do that.
“He gets to know the lads, whereas you might bring one keeper in on loan for seven days and he does fantastically well but his team could have a sticky patch and he could get recalled.
“Jordan went up from this division with Millwall in (in 2017) and had a big input into them staying in the Championship for the next two seasons.
“And he’s a full international with Scotland, so from that point of view we’re happy with it and we just need to make sure now he fits in really well.”
The former Tottenham goalkeeper did have offers after leaving Millwall but failed to agree on terms.
Archer has been training with Aston Villa, but will now play a part against Shrewsbury Town tomorrow following the competition of the paperwork.
He said: “I’ve been desperate to play football since the summer.
“A few things haven’t quite gone my way, a few decisions I’ve made with my agents, but I’m delighted to be here.
“The club’s on a fantastic run, the gaffer’s fantastic with great coaching staff and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”