JEROME Sinclair has joined Oxford United in a deadline day move from Watford.

The 22-year-old striker has signed on loan until the end of the season in a switch which finally yields a deal from the U’s month-long bid to strengthen their attacking options.

He now provides Jamie Mackie with some competition up front and will be available to make his debut at Burton Albion on Saturday.

Sinclair has played in Sky Bet League One this season at Sunderland, scoring twice in 19 appearances, before the Black Cats cut his loan short earlier this month.

He said: “I’m just happy to be here.

“I feel like it’s a big opportunity for me to come and get some games under my belt, which is much needed and hopefully show what I can do to help the team.

LIVE BLOG - All the deadline day news at Oxford United

“This year was definitely one where I needed to go out and get games.

“I did that to some extent at Sunderland, but I feel like here I’ll be able to do it even more and show what I’m capable of.”

Sinclair came through the West Brom academy before joining Liverpool as a 14-year-old.

He made his debut two years later and scored for Jurgen Klopp’s side in the FA Cup at Exeter City in January 2016.

A £4m move to Watford followed, where he has made nine Premier League appearances and spent time on loan at Birmingham City and Sunderland.

While his strike for Sunderland against Peterborough in October is his only goal in 30 league appearances, Robinson believes the statistics do not reflect his quality.

He said: “I think he’s fallen below what was made of him.

“I think the move to Liverpool affected him a little bit. It was probably too big too soon.

“That’s happened to a lot of people.

“He had a half-decent loan at Sunderland. He had an injury early on.

“But we watched him play against Bradford and he was excellent.

“We saw him play in two games at the Stadium of Light as well, so we know we’ve got a very talented player who has a point to prove.

“There’s a hunger to come here and play, which is important.”