OXFORD United will be hoping to have a busy few hours in the transfer market before the window shuts this afternoon.

The deadline for permanent deals is at 5pm – and the U’s want to be active.

Boss Karl Robinson went into this week aiming for three signings, but the club have so far been unable to get any over the line.

It includes the central midfield target, believed to be at a Sky Bet Championship club, for whom United had a bid accepted last week.

Agreeing personal terms prevented the move being wrapped up before the weekend and there does not appear to have been a breakthrough.

Robinson is expected to give an update at lunchtime, with Ricky Holmes another talking point.

It is now a week since Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder revealed the winger was on his way to the U’s, but it has failed to materialise.

As a loan it does not have to be completed until August 31, but the delay has raised doubts about it going ahead.