OXFORD United will not have a new striker in before tomorrow night’s visit to Cheltenham Town in the Checkatrade Trophy.

But Sam Surridge appears to be a target after boss Karl Robinson watched the frontman score in Oldham Athletic’s Emirates FA Cup win at Fulham.

On Saturday the United head coach was hopeful of getting a loan deal over the line in time for the visit to Whaddon Road.

But this morning he said: “We know we’re not going to play tomorrow night without anybody (new).

“We just have to wait.”

The U’s are looking at a variety of options this month, with Robinson wanting two strikers before the window closes.

Surridge's loan at Oldham was ended today as he was recalled by Bournemouth, who are believed to be interested at testing him in Sky Bet League One, with Bradford City linked.

And Robinson was watching at Craven Cottage as the 20-year-old netted a penalty to help the Latics come from behind to stun the Premier League side in the third round.

It was his 12th goal in 20 appearances, having scored ten goals on loan at Yeovil Town last season.

The U’s boss said: “He scored a good penalty yesterday.

“His goal record is good, so if you’re looking at somebody who is available I think he would be on a lot of people’s lists.

“He’s been out on loan, so it’s not just like he’s scored goals in under 23s football.

“Over the last few weeks he’s had some injury problems but he seems to be fit and raring to go again.

“I don’t really know what the situation is with Oldham, they were brilliant yesterday. I was at the game and they were fantastic.”

He added: “I think it’s glaringly obvious we need a striker and someone who has scored the amount of goals he has for someone so young, there’s obviously going to be a connection there.

“He came on with 25 minutes to go and made a difference.”