Oxford United will continue to build towards the new season with another busy week of pre-season.
The U’s were without 12 First Team players last week due to three players testing positive in routine covid-19 tests and a further nine then having to self isolate as a precaution.
Depending on when the initial tests took place the players will return to training this week and a double header friendly against Peterborough United at the Training Ground has been moved back to Wednesday to allow the bulk of those players to be involved.
The two matches will run side by side on the training pitches and although we cannot welcome fans for the games we will of course keep you up to date on all of the usual matchday channels: streaming two games simultaneously proved beyond us, sadly, but we will have highlights available from both 90 minutes.
Tuesday sees the under 17s, impressive in a draw at Aston Villa on Saturday, back in action when they take on Woking in a behind closed doors friendly, with the Youth Team then welcoming Brighton and Hove Albion to Oxford Sports Park on Saturday for their final pre-season warm up game.
That afternoon will then see the First Team in action away at Bristol Rovers in what was scheduled to be the final pre-season game.
However, the loss of the Birmingham game last weekend may see another friendly added in midweek next week to ensure that United are as sharp as possible for the season opener at Cambridge United.
The two clubs are just waiting on final confirmation on the return of away fans that day: we will bring you ticket news just as soon as that confirmation is received.