Deane Smalley says no Oxford United players should feel sure of their place in the side for the start of the season as the striker aims to shine against Coventry City tomorrow.

The Sky Blues’ visit to the Kassam Stadium will be the final opportunity for the senior players to state their case for inclusion in Chris Wilder’s XI for the League Two opener at Portsmouth next weekend.

Smalley has shown good form so far this summer, capped off by a superb individual effort in the 1-1 draw at home to Birmingham City last Saturday.

It took the 24-year-old’s tally to three goals in four friendly appearances.

Although the other specialist strikers in the squad – Dave Kitson, James Constable and Tyrone Marsh – have netted so far, Smalley is not complacent.

He said: “Primarily I just want to get the shirt against Coventry and if I am playing I want a good performance again, not just by me but the whole team. If another goal comes then I’ll be happy.

“No-one is safe, I think all the strikers have done well in pre-season.

“They and the whole squad have worked extremely hard and I think the gaffer has a good selection to pick from.

“Whoever he does choose up front I think they’ll do a good job.”

It is a familiar story for Smalley, who has performed in previous pre-seasons at United.

The Mancunian, who won the League Two title with Chesterfield in 2011, has so far been unable to turn it into goalscoring form when the competitive action begins, scoring just seven goals in two seasons with the U’s.

Smalley is doing extra training to prevent a repeat of the groin injury which kept him out for four months in the last campaign and admits more is expected.

He said: “I’ve got a point to prove, not just to the players but also to the staff and the fans, everyone involved with Oxford.

“I keep saying I haven’t scored enough goals, but hopefully this will be my season.”