Oxford United yesterday signed midfielder Ryan Burge on loan until the end of the season from Doncaster Rovers.

And U’s boss Chris Wilder admits it’s an indication that he now has one eye on the future as well as the present.

Although United will still be doing their utmost to try to reach the play-offs, everyone accepts that is now a long-shot following their 2-1 home defeat by Stevenage on Tuesday.

So Wilder says he has to see which players, both from outside, and on the inside, can take the club onward and upward.

Burge, 22, has previously played for Barnet and spent three months in Japan, playing for Oita Trinita, before signing for Spanish side Jerez Industrial CF, who are part of Glenn Hoddle’s Academy.

While in Spain, he scored the quickest goal in the Academy’s history, netting after just 11 seconds against San Fernando.

He played for Oxford United’s reserves last week, as a trialist, and impressed in the 2-0 win over Colchester at Didcot’s npower Loop Meadow Stadium.

Wilder said: “He’s a creative left-footed midfield player. It’s important in that position that we create and get forward and he does that.

“He’s got a good CV, I’ve had good reports on him and I’ve seen enough of him and know a bit about him.

“Previously he was at Birmingham. Unfortunately they had a change of manager, which sometimes happens.

“Doncaster got hold of him and he’s here until the end of the season.

“He’s come in and there’ll be maybe one other before (the loan transfer deadline) next Thursday.

“We’ve got really good connections with Doncaster. You never know, if things happen, there could be something for next year as well with long-term loans.

“This is a chance for us to look at Ryan in our environment, and for him to look at us as well.”

Burge, who will be in the squad for United’s home game against Crewe tomorrow, said: “Oxford’s a big club, with good supporters, so it will be great to come here and hopefully play some games and help them do well.

“We had a good win in that reserve game last week, everyone put in a shift.

“That’s why I’ve come back really, they presumably saw something in me in that game and hopefully I can add something to the club.

“I like to pick a pass, put my foot in, and get on the scoresheet as well.

“There’s still a big chance of getting into the play-offs. Obviously we’ve got to win a lot of games, but it’s definitely do-able and that’s where the club wants to be.”

Wilder concedes the U’s probably need to win seven of the final nine games to reach the play-offs.

And he says he is now, to a degree, thinking ahead.

“I’m looking at both this year and next,” he explained.

“I’ve got to have half an eye on the future, keeping an eye open to see who’s available to bring in, and at our players to see who can show the consistently high levels we need.

“We need to know who can form the bulk of the squad for next year.”