Mark Wright believes he is close to making his first SIX signings since taking over at Oxford United, by securing all the club's promising young players on long-term contracts.

Wright had a meeting with chairman Firoz Kassam to discuss the plans for the future, and the main issue was to ensure that the bright talent produced by United's youth policy did not slip through the net.

Although some of the players are still in contract, Wright wants them all to commit themselves to Oxford and play their part in trying to get straight back up to the second division at the first attempt.

"Sam Ricketts has agreed to sign, Rob Folland has been taken on again, and Dean Whitehead will be signing as well," Wright said.

"I will be meeting the parents of Jamie Brooks, Simon King and Chris Hackett because I believe that is the right way to go about things.

"They all want to sign and we're hoping it's just a matter of time. But they are still what you would call babies and I need to talk to their parents about my ideas and the way we want to take the club forward.

"I have been very encouraged by a number of the young players here, and believe that some of them could have a very big future in the game.

"It's important that we get them signed on as soon as possible. There is a lot of talent and a lot of potential at this club."

Wright said the meeting with Kassam was very useful for both parties to get their ideas across and discuss the future for the club.

"We had a very productive meeting about the way we want to go about things," he added.

"We talked about making sure we keep the younger players and also about signing new players.

"I've been given money to go out and get players, and if there is someone I want, the chairman told me to just come to him to clear things up. We will be speaking on a regular basis."

Wright has had only two training sessions with his new team, but said that in that short space of time has already become a lot clearer on what he wants.

He has also said that every team at the club will be playing with the same formation and in the same way.

"We will be playing three centre halves in every team throughout the club. There's no secret in that.

"I need all the teams to play the same way so that if someone has to come in, they know exactly what their job is. There's absolutely no point in playing different systems in different teams.

"It is now up to the players to show what they can do when we play the pre-season games and make it hard for me to leave them out.

"I'd be wary about playing five or six youngsters in the same side because that would be unfair on them, but if they all perform in pre-season, it will make things difficult for me, which is good."