Oxford striker Deane Smalley today joined City on loan until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old trained with his new team-mates for the first time and goes straight into the squad to face Burton on Saturday.

Manchester-born Smalley spent four years with Oldham before joining Chris Wilder's Oxford in the summer.

He enjoyed a successful loan spell at Chesterfield in the second half of last season, scoring 12 goals in their promotion to League One.

But Smalley has netted only twice for Oxford, where 16 of his 25 appearances have been from the bench.

Phil Parkinson said: "Deane's arrival will increase competition for places up front, which can only be a good thing.

"He did well in League Two with Chesterfield last season and played a part in getting them promoted.

"It hasn't quite worked out for him at Oxford but we are pleased to have him on board for us."