Roy McFarland has made two experienced and top quality additions to his squad by bringing in Sheffield United's Jonathan Hunt and Newcastle United's Lionel Perez on loan until the end of the season. Both transfers were confirmed this afternoon and both players will be available to boost the injury-hit squad ahead of the absolutely vital relegation six-pointer against Oxford this weekend.

28-year-old attacking midfielder Hunt (right) played for Barnet, Southend and Birmingham City - where he was their 15 goal top-scorer in 1996 - and Derby County before joining the Blades last March in a part-exchange deal.

Hunt is described as a genuinely two-footed creative player and a specialist free-kick and corner taker. He has been allocated squad number 20.

The career of former Sunderland 'keeper Perez has been on hold since his Bosman free transfer to north-east rivals Newcastle United in the summer of 1998. The flamboyant Frenchman has not played a first team game for the Toon but he had a good spell on loan at Scunthorpe earlier this season and impressed for them at the Abbey.

32-year-old Perez (left) is instantly recognisable by his short-sleeved goalkeeping jersey and his bleached blond hair, and he played for Nimes and Bordeaux before joining Sunderland in 1996. He has been allocated squad number 24.

There will be no more incoming transfers although there might be some outgoing loans of fringe players.

Roy McFarland commented this afternoon, "As the season reaches its critical phase and each match becomes more important than the last, I feel that these players can be influential during their stay here at the Abbey."