Oxford United boss Ian Atkins is hoping to sign a defender on a month's loan in time for Saturday's Division 3 game against Lincoln - but it doesn't after all look like being former Charlton player Stuart Balmer.
The 33-year-old Oldham defender played for the reserves in yesterday's Avon Insurance Combination game at Leyton Orient where Atkins checked on him to see whether he still had 'the legs'.
The Scot "did OK", according to Atkins, who was under the impression the Latics would let him go out on loan, only to learn later in the day, after speaking to Oldham boss Ian Dowie, that it had to be a permanent deal or nothing.
The second division side have cash problems and they want Balmer off their wage bill.
However, Atkins is eager to sign someone in the next few hours, both in time for Saturday's League game against Lincoln at the Kassam Stadium, and before the seven-day deadline for the FA Cup clash with Swindon Town on December 8. That deadline is effectively at 12 noon tomorrow.
The club seemed to have effectively given up on Adi Viveash, who returned to Reading after two successful months on loan, which included a magnificent Worthington Cup triumph at Charlton, yet yesterday's game in east London merely confirmed to Atkins what a good player Viveash had been.
"Of the two, Viveash was much better," United's manager admitted.
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