KARL Robinson says Oxford United have got to ‘act like a Championship club’ as they seek to replace Chris Short.

Last month, it was announced United’s head of sports science would be taking a job at Sky Bet Championship side Middlesbrough, located closer to his family in York.

Robinson revealed there would not just be a replacement for Short, but also the recruitment of a physical performance manager.

The U’s head coach said it is an ‘exciting time’ for the club.

“The people we’re bringing in have more qualifications than anything we’ve seen before,” he said.

“We know who it is and the experience levels are phenomenal.

“The change of personnel is sometimes needed and sometimes it forces you to make a change.”

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While Short will be directly replaced, another addition will see a physical performance manager responsible for the first team, academy and women’s team.

“They will basically be interacting with all of the different teams to make sure we have one generic metric that runs across the football club,” said Robinson.

“Obviously there will be different components to that with the different age groups and the females, but it’s a really exciting time and a really exciting challenge.

“Amy [Cranston, first team physio] has got another full-time physio in this year, which makes that department stronger.

“Everything seems to be going in a very aggressive direction from a staffing and infrastructure point of view.

“We’ve got to start acting like a Championship club before we become one.

“Once you become a Championship club, you’ve got to start acting like a Premier League club, even whilst you’re in the Championship.

“We’re always thinking one step ahead, we’re always evolving.

“We feel as a group of staff, we’ll be better for what’s happening over the summer.”

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On the departure of Short, Robinson was full of praise for the 51-year-old, who joined from Blackpool in 2018, initially as head of physical performance.

“He’ll be a big loss, but it’s a big chance to change,” said Robinson.

“He’s one of the nicest people I’ve worked with – he’s not an employee, he’s a friend for life. He has made friends for life here in Oxfordshire.

“We’re in a much better place because of him.

“He started the ball rolling, he was the first of the new era – the change from a mid-table team to one that’s competing in the top six year in, year out.”