U's Head for Portugal

Oxford United head for the Algarve today as the U’s continue their pre-season plans with an intensive week of training in Portugal.

After a highly encouraging 3-0 win at Oxford City on Saturday Pep Clotet’s squad fly out for a week that will see them play Championship sides Middlesbrough and Hull City. It will be a chance for new boys Scott Shearer, Jon Obika and Fiacre Kelleher to get to know their new teammates as team bonding starts to happen and the players can expect some serious hard work on the training pitches throughout the week.

Aaron Martin and Josh Ashby both fly with the squad as they continue their recovery from injury: Martin is ahead of schedule and could play a part in one of the matches. Saturday’s trialists Josh Smile and Sam Shaban are not present but there is a new face in the travelling party with former Newcastle and Wolves defender Mike Williamson joining the squad. Williamson, who lives locally, has been training with the U’s to gain fitness and could feature in the games in Portugal.

Fans travelling out to Portugal should keep an eye on this site and the twitter feed (@OUFCOfficial) as well as that of the Yellow Army who have a five a side and quiz night planned for Tuesday.

Portugal Dates for the Diary

Tuesday  Yellow Army Fan Mini Golf Competition

Family Golf Park, Vilamoura from 3pm

Wednesday

Game 1            Middlesbrough   Ferreiras Stadium, Albufeira      6.30pm

Players will be around for an hour after the game to meet fans

Thursday

Yellow Army 5-a-side competition: Bella Vista Sports Bar, Albufeira, 2pm kick off

Football Quiz: same location around 4.30pm

Saturday 15th July    

Game 2           Hull City, Ferreiras Stadium, Albufeira, 6.30pm

Pre-season fixtures