OXFORD United are making progress on their first new signing of the January transfer window – a loan deal which head coach Michael Appleton hopes could be completed as early as today.

So far this month the only activity coming into the club has been the renewal of Charlie Raglan’s loan from Chesterfield.

That could be about to change, with United upbeat about the chances of securing a move for a target who has eluded them several times in the past.

While Appleton would not be drawn about the identity of the target, he plays at a higher-division club and the U’s boss confirmed it was not Tyler Roberts, who returned to West Bromwich Albion after his loan expired a fortnight ago.

He said: “It’s someone we have tried to get before two or three times.

“We’re a lot closer on one than we were on Thursday.

“I think with a bit of luck there possibly could be someone in the building on Tuesday.

“But there’s a lot of stuff that has to go on in terms of agreements between clubs.

“I think the player’s in a pretty good place about it, but we obviously have to get the green light.”

The arrival of fresh blood would boost a squad who will make the most of a rare week without a midweek game.

This is only the second time since mid-November the U’s have had a full seven days between fixtures.

A busy schedule also awaits over the next month,

Their involvement in the Emirates FA Cup means games with Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United need to be rearranged in midweek slots, while the Checkatrade Trophy run is also adding to the workload.

It all means Appleton, whose side lost 2-1 at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, is striving to find the right balance.

He said: “We have to make sure we get it right and prepare ourselves for what’s going to be a really busy six or seven weeks.

“We have to make sure we don’t go and flog the players just because they’ve lost a game.

“They used a lot of energy and have been through a period with cup replays and Trophy games where they’ve played a lot.

“They will go through another period of that and we have to ensure the players who are going to feature in a lot of those games get the right rest.”

One deal was confirmed yesterday, with midfielder Josh Ashby’s youth loan at Oxford City extended for the rest of the season.