Oxford United boss Chris Wilder wants FA Cup finance boost
Last updated on .From the section Football
Oxford United manager Chris Wilder says he hopes progressing in the FA Cup will help fund player activity in the January transfer window.
The U's host Accrington at the Kassam Stadium on Wednesday in their second-round replay, with the winners facing Sheffield United at home.
"It's a big game. It's a big game for the players to get into the third round," Wilder told BBC Radio Oxford.
"And it's a big game financially for both clubs."
The U's have been crippled by injuries throughout the opening four months of the season and Wilder says he is looking forward to being able to add to his squad.
And he admits whether they make it into the third round or not could affect how many players he signs.
"I'm looking in January to improve," he said,
"This is money we can potentially use to improve and strengthen the squad.
"There will be a lot of that happening in League Two in January and we have to make sure our recruitment is right, and make sure we get players in positions to kick us on into the second half of the season.
"And that all helps with a decent cup run. We've done fantastically well in the JPT, we did okay in the League Cup and now we are looking to do well in the FA Cup."
Oxford took the decision not to sign players on short-term loan deals at the start of the season, meaning they have been limited in who they can sign.
And Wilder admits that means the January window has extra significance for them.
"We've brought a couple of players in at the start of the season - (Michael) Raynes and (Sean) Rigg," he said.
"January is a massive window for us as we took the decision not to bring in short-term loans.
"So January is the only time I can work and do a bit of business and hopefully progression in the FA Cup will give me a little bit of leeway to progress the squad."
