DES Buckingham is hopeful that Oxford United could have two new signings finalised before their pre-season clash against Palermo this weekend.

United welcome the Serie B outfit to Grenoble Road on Saturday afternoon, and head coach Buckingham wants to see two new faces available to him for the game.

Speaking after the U’s beat Premier League side Southampton, Buckingham said: “Hopefully there’ll be a couple. I know when I say this, people get excited and then it doesn’t happen, but hopefully a couple.”

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United are light on wingers as things stand, with Owen Dale and Przemyslaw Placheta the only two contracted to the club.

Tyler Goodrham was brought into a midfield role towards the end of last season, and although he has featured as a winger again in pre-season, it is in midfield where Buckingham sees his long-term future.

Goodrham has been back out wide though, with both Dale and summer signing Placheta unavailable due to fitness concerns.

Realistically, the duo and any incomings will have to be available for Palermo if they are to play a part on the opening day at home to Norwich City on August 10.

Oxford Mail:

Buckingham said: “They’re going to have to be in the squad. Shemmy [Placheta] should be ready to go on Saturday. We’ve been building him up.

“Owen Dale has now got the all-clear to return to training as well, so whether or not it’s too soon to put him into the squad, but he’s been keeping his fitness up, and it’s just going to be a case of how quickly we want to put him back in the squad.

“Hopefully there’ll be a couple new in the building that we’ve signed, and Shemmy and Owen could potentially return.”