OXFORD United are pursuing multiple loan deals alongside permanent transfers, says Karl Robinson.

The U’s are hoping to bring in several more targets after Ciaron Brown became their first signing of the window on Sunday.

Last summer, United secured loan deals for Nathan Holland, Gavin Whyte, Jordan Thorniley and Herbie Kane, with the first of those arriving on July 29.

READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United loanee joins League One rivals

It can be a waiting game as parent clubs decide what to do with their players, but Robinson revealed the U’s have made inroads during their pre-season training camp in Spain.

“We’ve spoken to five while we’ve been here, some in case deals don’t come off, some because we really want them. We know which loan players we want,” United’s head coach said.

“The loan players will be going with their teams on the first bit of their pre-season tours, and we’re still working hard with one or two deals as well.”

Brown was the only loan arrival of the January 2022 window, the defender coming in after Thorniley was recalled by Blackpool.

READ MORE: Ciaron Brown joins Oxford United on two-year deal

The Northern Ireland international’s move from Cardiff City in the final hours of deadline day was viewed as a low-risk signing and Robinson insists that is still the case.

He said: “It’s still a low-risk signing, he’s a very good player and a tremendous human being.

“He can play left back, he can play left of a back three and left of a two in central defence.

“He’s a full international and he’s young for a defender.”

Brown’s arrival helps soften the blow of the expected departure of centre back Luke McNally, who is understood to be finalising his move to Sky Bet Championship club Burnley.

It would leave United with a first-team squad of 17 players, including two goalkeepers, less than five weeks until the start of the Sky Bet League One season.

Before Brown’s arrival, Robinson spoke about the U’s needing ‘at least five or six’ new recruits – but that does not mean he is unhappy with the quality at his disposal.

He said: “We’re quite comfortable with what we have here, which we’re building on for next year.

“What we are is a better team because of the consequences of last season.

“Bringing those players can make us a better team than what we were last year, and (add) more strength in depth.”