OXFORD United plan to refocus on young players with potential as they search for reinforcements during January.

The transfer window opened on Monday and closes four weeks today at 11pm.

United had built a reputation for shrewd business by concentrating on either talents looking for a chance at the start of their career, or markets like Scotland which offered better value.

The likes of Kemar Roofe, Marvin Johnson and John Lundstram arrived, improved themselves and the team, before departing for big profits.

But the U’s appeared to change tack last summer, with a host of players nearing the end of their careers, who did not have the same sell-on value.

However, chairman Darryl Eales has signalled an intention to get back to what proved so successful before.

In his programme notes on New Year’s Day, he wrote: “We spent a good deal of time and focus last week on our targets for the transfer window and the resources are available to strengthen the squad with three or four new additions.

“The key imperative remains building for the long term and returning to a closer model that has served us well over the past three seasons.

“There will be renewed focus on youth and potential.”

Like most clubs, United would like to get business done quickly, but in practice, the majority of deals come in the final few days of the window.

U’s boss Pep Clotet said: “We know exactly what kind of players we want and we’re building something that’s sustainable.

“It’s difficult because in January the best options sometimes come a bit later.

“No-one wants to get rid of a good player now in January without time to prepare.

“So I cannot really set a time. I hope we can bring the right additions as soon as possible, but it’s not completely up to us.”

Monday’s 3-1 win against Milton Keynes Dons has relieved some of the pressure which had been building during a poor run of results.

But Clotet stressed the importance of looking at the medium term when it comes to making squad changes, rather than what has happened on the field in recent weeks.

“You never do it on emotional reactions or quickfire decisions,” he said.

“Little setbacks are always there, but we’re going to make sure everyone who comes in we all agree on.

“Our goal is always to keep improving the team and the club.

“Eventually it will lead us to where we need to be.”