Oxford United have announced the signing of forward Josh Parker on non-contract terms. The 22 year-old winger joins the Us having been released from Division Three outlet Oldham Athletic at the end of last season. An Antiguan and Barbuda international, Parker started his career at Premier League club Queen’s Park Rangers before moving to Boundary Park in the summer of 2011.

With shoulder surgery ruling out JP Pittman for the next 12 weeks, Deane Smalley still recovering from a groin problem alongside an ankle injury sidelining Adam Chapman for six weeks in Oxford’s 2-0 FA Cup victory over Accrington Stanley, United’s frontline is light on numbers for the festive period. With James Constable and leading top-scorer Tom Craddock the only experienced forwards amongst the squad, Parker has been brought in to help avoid the responsibility falling to youngster Tyrone Marsh.

With four games being scheduled over the next eleven days, United will be looking to capture their domestic cup form into their league fixtures. The right-footed forward can play on either flank or as a central striker and will add to United’s attacking options over the next two weeks.

The former Hoops graduate impressed in training with the Us over the last fortnight, leading to his move to the Kassam Stadium on an initial temporary basis.

Despite not scoring a single goal during his senior career, Oxford boss Chris Wilder believes he will be an attacking threat; “Josh has done well in training and now he gets a chance to show us what he can do over a slightly longer period. Deane Smalley and JP Pittman are both out so we needed cover over the busy Christmas period and Josh is hungry to come in and impress.”

Wilder is also celebrating his four-year reign at the club, having rescued the Yellows from the lows of the Conference whilst coming to a play-off spot last season. His experience will be put to the test when the Us host high-flying Fleetwood Town tomorrow afternoon to begin their festive run-in.