Oxford United have snapped up Peterborough United striker Tyrone Barnett on an emergency three-month loan deal. The 28-year-old arrives at the Kassam Stadium for an initial 93-day loan, just over a week since his deadline day move to United collapsed on September 1.

Barnett joined Posh for £1.2m back in May 2012 from Crawley Town, but has failed to cement a first-team spot under manager Darren Ferguson after subsequent loan spells at Ipswich Town and Bristol City.

The 6’ 3” hitman achieved Football League eminence after scoring 14 times in 26 games for the Red Devils in their first season back in England’s top-four divisions.

Since then, Barnett has only managed to net 11 times for Posh in 38 league starts and vowed he would be “delighted” if he never returned to London Road after sealing his loan move to Ipswich in November 2012.

However, Yellows boss Michael Appleton is thrilled with his latest signing, with Barnett likely to make his United debut when Oxford travel to Exeter City on Saturday. He said: “Tyrone is a proven goalscorer at this level. He is a strong lad, has pace and is always going to cause defences problems. “We are delighted that he is here and we are really looking forward to working with him.” Barnett was similarly pleased with his new club: “I just want to get back playing and enjoy football, it’s been a while since I’ve actually enjoyed it on the pitch.”

Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony admitted he was “stunned” that he didn’t complete his deadline day move to United after a fee was agreed with the Division Three club. But Barnett, who began his career at Macclesfield, revealed the chance of a “more permanent move” elsewhere had prevented him from signing last week. “It was brought to my attention that I was going to come here for a season-long loan and I was very excited,” he added. “The only reason it didn’t happen was that there was a move for me on a more permanent basis in the pipeline which I wanted to happen. “That did not happen, it was deadline day, so the next opportunity was the loan window.”

Barnett will provide crucial cover for fellow U’s forward Will Hoskins who has been ruled out until the New Year through injury. The former Brighton and Hove Albion striker tore a tendon in his groin during Oxford’s 1-1 draw at Southend United last weekend, and is not expected to play a further part in Appleton’s squad this year. “It’s obviously a big blow to us and to the player himself,” said Appleton. “Will had started to look sharp and was linking things together at the top of the pitch for us.”