IT is easy to panic when we reach mid-January and Oxford United have not signed anyone.

But a transfer window where it is notoriously difficult to find the ‘right’ player is even more challenging in 2021.

As with everything, coronavirus has affected the way clubs do business.

Scouts can no longer travel the country to watch targets, while the number of fixtures still remaining might mean managers are less willing to let players go.

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It is also the first season with the new salary and squad caps.

Sky Bet League One clubs must keep to a budget of £2.5million and ensure they never have more than 22 players aged over 21.

The frustration at the absence of incomings is understandable after U’s boss Karl Robinson revealed he hoped to bring in two players early in the window, only for both moves to fall through – for different reasons.

In a world where everything changes on a daily basis, not just in football, the concern will be that hiccups stop more deals getting over the line.

Robinson has three spaces available in his squad and has said before that United are under the £2.5million cap.

With this wiggle room and targets on his radar, the U’s have 17 days to bring players in – but supporters might have to be patient.