PEP Clotet believes Oxford United have done the majority of their strengthening already in the transfer window.

The U’s have moved swiftly in the first half of January, paying fees for centre back Rob Dickie and midfielder Cameron Brannagan, plus agreeing a loan for winger Isaac Buckley-Ricketts.

United, who yesterday had Jack Payne recalled from his loan, do have other irons in the fire – and Clotet flew to Europe last week to watch another target.

But the manager thinks the majority of the business this month has been completed.

Speaking before the Payne news, he said: “I’m very happy because they’re players who can help us.

“Buckley-Ricketts can help us in that position because we’re a bit short.

“Brannagan is a player who we’ve been monitoring for a long time and it just happened we could do it now.

“Rob Dickie is a player who can help us a lot going forward.

“It will be up to the opportunities – it happened that Brannagan could be done now, even though we tried before.

“It might be that another player we tried before on our list it might happen in this window, I’m not sure.

“I don’t think we’ll be as active as we have been.”

Clotet is fighting to prevent any of his contracted players going in the other direction, but was powerless to prevent Payne being recalled by Huddersfield Town.

Losing the talented No 10 would have been viewed as a catastrophe a month ago.

But Payne has been less effective in a wide role since the change to a 4-4-2 system and the blow has been lessened by the arrival of Brannagan and Buckley-Ricketts.

In United’s press release the 23-year-old admitted the call had come “out of the blue” and he had repeatedly made his desire to see the loan through very clear.

Speaking last Thursday, he said: “I haven’t been told anything.

“It’s the same as I always say, I’m enjoying my football and playing a lot of games.

“I’m focused here and happy.”

A decision also needs to be taken on James Roberts, whose one-month loan at Vanarama National League strugglers Guiseley has ended.

He has scored three times in five starts for the Lions.

l OXFORD United have announced they will be holding a fans’ forum on Thursday, March 1, at Court Place Farm.

Chairman Darryl Eales and manager Pep Clotet are among those due to attend the event, where doors will open at 6.30pm.