KARL Robinson is aiming to make Jordan Graham an Oxford United player as soon as the January window opens after being impressed with him on and off the pitch.

Some reshuffling of the squad is expected next month and although exits are needed to make room in the budget for new faces, the U’s boss has stressed there is no pressure on him to sell players.

Graham is at the top of his list when it comes to targets – and he has spent the past month training with United after the Wolverhampton Wanderers winger’s loan at Ipswich Town turned sour.

The 23-year-old has fond memories of a productive, but brief, spell with the U’s in 2015 and Robinson is looking to tie up a loan until the end of the season as quickly as possible.

He said: “We’d like him to be here by January 1 – that’s always been our objective.

“I know he wants to be here.

“He played in a behind-closed-doors game the other day and said something to me which really made me smile – let’s just say he enjoyed putting yellow on again.

“It reminded him of the beginning of something which could have been very special.

“Due to an injury and other things, it fell away. He almost feels like it’s the beginning of that again, but with more experience.

“He’s a diamond of a human being as well, I’ve been very impressed with him as a person and that’s something which means a lot to me.

“He’s a pleasure to be around.”

United have six players on loan, one more than the permitted number in an 18-man squad on a matchday.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell is set to return to Derby County next month, but the other five – Samir Carruthers, Ricky Holmes, Marcus Brown, Luke Garbutt and Sam Smith – are on deals for the whole campaign.

While parent clubs are able to recall them, the U’s also have a break clause to end some of the deals early, which could be considered to free up space.

Loaning out others would also be an option, while player sales cannot be ruled out, although Robinson was clear there was no desire for permanent exits.

He said: “Oh no, 100 per cent not. We might have to loan some players out or maybe send a loan player back.

“You’ve got players you might sell – contractually you don’t know what might go on.

“We’re always open to offers, we’re in League One so you’re in a pond that people want to fish in.

“We just have to wait and see.”

RICKY Holmes has no desire to end his loan at Oxford United early.

The winger is back in training after a back problem which has hampered him since signing a season-long move in August.

Sheffield United are able to recall the 31-year-old in next month’s transfer window, but with them sitting third in the Sky Bet Championship it is unlikely and Holmes wants to remain.

He said: “They’ve got a call back in January which hopefully they don’t trigger, because I want to stay here and see through why I signed.

“We’ll reassess in the summer.”

Marcus Browne is another of United’s on-loan players, but the West Ham United winger does not yet know where his future lies.

He said: “I’m not too sure what’s going to happen in January.

“I’m just enjoying playing and keeping my head down.

“I’m pushing everything to the side and we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”