KARL Robinson says strength in depth is key as he targets more additions in the last four weeks of the transfer window.

Oxford United yesterday made Lewis Bate their seventh summer signing as the midfielder arrived from Leeds United on a season-long loan.

The 19-year-old adds more quality to a squad brimming with ability, but it was also important to get another body in the building after Robinson named an inexperienced bench at Derby County last Saturday.

Winger Yanic Wildschut and striker Sam Baldock are sidelined with hamstring and thigh injuries respectively, reducing the U’s firepower.

READ MORE: Lewis Bate and Karl Robinson explain thinking behind midfielder's move

Robinson will continue to be patient as he searches for the right additions but knows there is more work to do before the window closes on September 1.

“Things seem to be moving in the right direction,” United’s head coach said.

“If we can get ourselves in the mix with Sam and Yanic coming back in a few months we’ll be in a great place.

“In the big games it (a strong bench) is a necessity. They’re the game-changers, especially with five subs this year.

“We do have that financial clout to make sure our squad is strong but we’ve got to make sure it’s the right players, we can’t just put anything in a yellow shirt.

“Sometimes you sign players and it doesn’t work for whatever reason, but you’ve got to make sure you do all your due diligence and make sure players are ready to perform.

“If you’ve had injury problems in the past the contract will be based around that.

“We still need right back cover, maybe a wide player and a striker.

“The midfield player’s done now, so we’re in a good place.”