Michael Appleton is optimistic about making his first signings of the transfer window in time for Oxford United’s home game against Southend United this weekend.

The U’s have been busily trimming the squad in the past month, with Junior Brown, Michael Raynes, Brian Howard and Tyrone Marsh leaving.

Others are expected to follow, with Alfie Potter, Tom Newey and David Hunt having been made available.

The club are now turning their attention to bringing targets in, and Appleton has high hopes of having two new faces in before Saturday.

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“I’m hoping very strongly,” the U’s head coach said.

“We can push, but we have to wait and see what happens.

“Hopefully there will be a couple because whether it’s this week or the following week there may still be one or two departures that may happen.”

Their focus is likely to be on strengthening their options in midfield and wide areas, but a priority is sorting out a right back.

Talks continue over bringing Joe Riley back for a second spell from Bolton Wanderers.

The 23-year-old impressed on loan in the first half of the season, but his form has alerted other clubs.

Appleton wants a definitive answer imminently, or he will pursue other targets.

He said: “We’ve certainly got a few people we’re targeting.

“The Joe Riley situation isn’t over as yet, unless we get told differently.”

United’s wish-list contains players from a variety of backgrounds, from seasoned campaigners to youngsters from big clubs.

Appleton said: “It depends on which one we can get.

“We try to cover our backs. If we want a certain type of player there’s no guarantee they will be an experienced one.

“So you’ve got to try and make sure your recruitment is in a place where if you can’t get the experienced one you want, then you go and get a younger one.

“We’ll continue to do that.”

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