OXFORD United will look to arrange loan deals for some of their fringe players after making a productive start to the January transfer window.

Marcus Browne’s loan move from Middlesbrough was swiftly followed by a permanent deal for Eastleigh centre back Rob Atkinson.

It took United’s business to four signings in just over 24 hours.

Robinson still wants another couple of new faces, although it looks unlikely anything else will drop until after the Gillingham game on January 18.

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The head coach had urged United to ‘act like a big club’ on New Year’s Day and has got his wish, but now has to make room for the new players.

“Some players will 100 per cent have to go out on loan,” he said.

“We will balance the books.

“We’re not a bottomless pit, but acting like a big club doesn’t mean you’re spending money.

“It means you do things quickly, efficiently with tremendous communication between people.

“I’m really excited by what we have.”

He added: “I said we would do things early and thank God for the first time in my career I’ve been able to stick to what I said.”

Among those to go out will be Atkinson, who at 21 is viewed as one for the future.

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A contract until 2023 shows United’s faith in the centre back, with Eastleigh likely to be his destination.

Atkinson said: “I’ll stick around here for a while and if there’s no sign I’ll be getting in the team I’ll be straight off playing football again, because that’s what I want to be doing.”

United want to free up some wages, but the outlay so far has been minimal.

Robinson confirmed a change in the terms of Ben Woodburn’s loan, which is believed to mean the U’s will not pay until the teenager returns to fitness, allowed them to move for Browne.

It took them to five loan players, the maximum permitted in an

18-man squad on a matchday.

Another could follow as United pursue a right back, but Robinson felt that did not mean the end of their hopes to agree a new loan for George Thorne.

He said: “Not at all, Thorney is still on the table.

“I don’t mind carrying seven loans, I’ve done it before and Woody’s not going to be fit until March.

“The right back might be a loan as well, I know who I want and every party is happy, but it will be a later one in the window.”