KARL Robinson says Oxford United are closing in on a striker as he signed a new deal of his own.

The U’s beat Chelsea Under 21s 2-1 in the first game of their EFL Trophy campaign on the day the head coach put pen to paper on a four-year contract.

Goals from forwards Dan Agyei and Derick Osei sealed victory over the Premier League giants’ young guns, but Robinson still feels United need more back-up for Matty Taylor.

And with the start of the Sky Bet League One season just three days away, he confirmed progress has been made on bringing in another striker.

He said: “The agent was in this week and we had good conversations.

“If I was a betting man I’d like to think it was done.

“It’s a player that I’ve always liked and who truly knows how much I want him here.

“I don’t want to force a deadline. He’s an older player and someone who knows this level.

“He’s going to need a pre-season, but we’re prepared to take that risk.”

United must work within the constraints of the new EFL salary cap, which limits third tier clubs’ spending to £2.5million per season on areas such as player wages, bonuses and agents’ fees.

While United have been linked with some players who would eat into that budget, Robinson revealed his target would not command a transfer fee.

He said: “We’re not going to be silly, we have to work within our budget.

“My job is to never put this football club in any danger financially.

“We will not break the bank for any player.”

Robinson’s search for cover at left wing and left back has stalled, but he was delighted to see two of the players brought in against Chelsea get on the scoresheet.

Agyei and Osei switched between the central attacking role and the wing all evening and looked dangerous throughout.

While their displays were encouraging, Robinson believes United require a different kind of player.

He said: “We think Dan is eventually going to be a winger and when Derick plays as a striker he finds himself outside of the box.

“They give us tremendous pace and power, which gives us a real different edge.

“I’m really pleased with that, but we still need a striker.”