A TERMINALLY ill Oxford United fan has said the "love and warmth" of the club and its fans have kept him going as he prepares to watch a game he never thought he would see.

Steve Dyer was diagnosed with bladder cancer and given four months to live in November last year and was convinced his trip to Wembley for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final in April would be his last chance to see the U's.

But the 60-year-old, who lives in the United States, said the outpouring of affection from fans since has kept him alive and that he has "never been happier."

On hearing he would be flying back this weekend Oxford United have invited him into the director's box to watch United take on Charlton Athletic at the Kassam Stadium this afternoon.

Mr Dyer said: "When I went to the final of the JPT I really thought that was going to be my last chance to see Oxford United play.

"I was given four months to live back in November and I just always thought something would happen to me before the new season.

"The club and other fans have been incredible and it's genuinely what has kept me going."

The father-of-three, who will watch today's game with his wife Carol, has recently started a course of immune system therapy after two bouts of chemotherapy.

The lifelong United fan, after growing up in Hinksey and Blackbird Leys, moved stateside in 1986 but still follows the U's.

After being given four months to live last year the club made sure he had a place, along with his son, in a hospitality box for the JPT final, which Oxford lost to Barnsley.

After his Wembley experience Mr Dyer said hundreds of fans had got in touch, which he believed had given him the determination to keep fighting his cancer.

He said: "Since I was diagnosed I have never been happier in my whole life.

"The love and warmth I have had from people in Oxford, fellow Oxford United fans and fellow football fans has been incredible.

"I have had hundreds of emails and actually made new friends with fans over the past few months."

He added: "I will be catching up with old friends and meeting new ones in the Bullnose Morris after the game - it's going to be a long day but I'm looking forward to it."

The grandfather-of-one said he would be making the most of whatever time he had left.

He said: "I'm not scared of dying of cancer, I was just scared for my family - but I'm making plans to spend great moments with them.

"I got to take my son Steven to Wembley and show them what supporting Oxford United is all about and now I can take my wife to a game as well and share that with her."

Oxford United manager Michael Appleton said the players would do all they could to get a win for Steve.

He said: "It will be good to see Steve again.

"He spent a day with the coaches and players before the Wembley game and his passion and enthusiasm for the club were fantastic.

"We know what he is going through and how much it means to him to be able to come and watch the game and we will do our best to get him a win."

Mr Dyer has also donated his season tickets at the Kassam Stadium to children and young adults being treated at Helen and Douglas House hospice in Headington.