Oxford have signed Coventry City’s defensive midfielder Barry Quinn on a one month loan deal. Quinn is 24 and in his 70+ appearances for the Sky Blues he has scored precisely no goals. Last year he was told that he was surplus to requirements at Coventry, for financial reasons, but he was kept on their books for this season.

He hasn’t played for Coventry this season, but did play four games on loan at Rushden & Diamonds. Quinn has four caps for the Republic of Ireland, and can play in midfield, as a fullback, or as a wingback. He is likely to feature in tomorrow’s match against York, but whether Ian Atkins opts for a four-man midfield, or drops one of James Hunt, Paul Wanless, or Dean Whitehead remains to be seen (obviously). Quinn is described as a “ball-playing midfielder”, but surely that’s the whole purpose of the game?

Meanwhile Oxford are also looking to sign goalkeeper Simon Overland, according to today’s This Is United. Overland is 17 years old and was recently released by Millwall. He has played twice for United’s under-19s and has played well on both occasions, apparently.