KARL Robinson admitted Oxford United have missed out on several players this summer as he prepares for a busy deadline day.
The U’s are chasing signings in multiple positions before the transfer window shuts at 11pm tonight.
United have brought in eight players this summer but injuries have forced Robinson into a change of shape from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2, which has impacted recruitment.
READ MORE: Oxford United duo set to leave on loan
Robinson said last weekend that he still wants to sign full backs on both sides, plus ‘one or two’ additions further forward.
But United’s head coach conceded that some targets have chosen to move elsewhere this summer.
He said: “There are a lot of players we’ve missed out on through no fault of our own, we’ve had the finances.
“Some are geographical reasons, some just because they didn’t think it was right – a lot of players have come who thought it was right.
There are a lot of reasons why deals don’t get done.
“We knew what we wanted, up until AFC Wimbledon away.
“We had that first injury and it became a knock-on effect of another injury and a change of shape.
“You want to recruit 50 per cent for this shape and 50 per cent for the shape you’ve recruited for in the summer, but we’re not that far off.”
Yanic Wildschut suffered a long-term hamstring injury in United's final pre-season friendly at AFC Wimbledon on July 23.
Sam Baldock was already sidelined, with Josh Murphy, Marcus Browne and Elliott Moore joining them in the treatment room since then.
In addition to any incomings, winger Jodi Jones and midfielder Oisin Smyth could go out on loan to get much-needed minutes.