OXFORD United are set to sign Weymouth left back Kevin Sandwith today – but it is likely to happen on the basis of a player going out as well.

Sandwith, a 30-year-old, will be in the squad for United's televised home game against Torquay tomorrow evening (5.45) after completing the paperwork on a deal until the end of the season.

It was only 17 days ago that, as Weymouth captain, he led the Terras to a shock 2-0 win over Torquay at Plainmoor.

And manager Chris Wilder believes he will increase the "healthy competition” there is at Oxford as his team chase a play-off place at the end of the season.

There is speculation linking teenage right back James Clarke with a possible move.

He is reported to have spoken to League Two clubs Grimsby, Luton and Bourne-mouth, while Conference rivals Forest Green, Mansfield and Woking are keeping tabs on him.

But it could also be another of the fringe players who moves on.

“I'm sure Kevin is one that will benefit our squad,” Wilder said.

“He'll be desperate to get in the team as quickly as possible, and it just raises the bar for the players.”

Sandwith has considerable experience, with more than 250 league games in the Football League, mainly, and Conference, at Carlisle, Telford, Doncaster, Halifax – under Wilder – Lincoln, Macclesfield, Chester and Weymouth.

“He competes and he wants to win,” Wilder added.

“He's played in successful sides in the Football League . . . he was at Lincoln when they got to the play-offs four or five times on the bounce.

“I took him out of Doncaster Reserves and he played for me for a year, was excellent, and we sold him to Carlisle.

“He had an opportunity of moving back into the Football League and we couldn't stand in his way.

“He found himself at Weymouth, with all the problems, and when his name came up, we felt that looking at our squad, and with Shane Killock being out for another three or four weeks, we needed to act.

“He knows what I'm about and he's happy to be involved in what will hopefully be our end-of-season push for the play-offs.”

Sandwith took part in United's training session at Milton yesterday, when the Oxford players' confidence was again in evidence.

Wilder feels the pressure his arrival will have can further lift the team.

“There's always pressure to play well,” he said.

“I don't want there to be an undue amount of pressure where they're scared to make mistakes, but it's healthy competition.”

However, Wilder stressed that Sandwith's arrival doesn't mean regular left back Chris Carruthers is on his way out.

“CC's done great,” he said.

“It just gives us a bit more natural cover and keeps him on his toes.

“We're not looking to out Chrissy, or to out anybody.

“If they're in, they're in on merit.”