OXFORD United goalkeeper Jimmy Glass is still a big worry ahead of Saturday's Division 2 game at Port Vale.

The former Swindon and Carlisle man has a sprained ankle and is receiving treatment.

If Glass isn't fit to take his place on the bench, it leaves manager Denis Smith with a problem.

He can either take a chance and name five outfield substitutes, or could choose to use youngster Tim Wilson as the cover for Richard Knight.

"Jimmy's moving a lot better today," admitted Smith. "But he must still be a doubt for Saturday."

Meanwhile, United players believe that the extensive fitness regime put in place by Smith will stand the team in good stead.

Smith's squad have been training twice a day in a bid to improve their strength as well as their tactical awareness.

And new boy John Robertson said the extra work will almost certainly pay dividends in the latter stages of matches.

The right back added that fans can expect the team to start dominating the opposition when their superior fitness starts to tell in the final quarter of the match.

"I think you could see on Saturday that they (Peterborough) got tired in the last 15 minutes or so and we got really on top.

"The lads here are really fit and have put a lot of work into pre-season. The midfield boys in particular are all so fit, and get up and down really well," the former Ayr full back added.

"We'll have to wait and see if it pays off when we get into the season, but we've been building up fitness a lot recently," said Smith.

"There are still one or two players who could get fitter but, at the end of the day, it is no use being able to run if you don't know where you're going."

Striker Manny Omoyinmi agreed that Smith's pre-season regime had got the players spot-on.

"Pre-season training has been tough the toughest I have ever done, mainly because of the distances we are having to run," he said.