JAMES Constable admitted it had been a hectic week with the birth of his first child, but the striker never considered missing Saturday’s game, writes DAVID PRITCHARD.

The 28-year-old was back in training on Friday, a day after becoming a dad, and an injury to Deane Smalley paved the way for a first league start of the season.

Constable thanked the response from Oxford United’s supporters and had no hesitation about his availability for the 2-2 draw with Wycombe Wanderers.

“It was never in doubt, As a footballer that’s my job,” he said.

“It would have been a tough one if it had been a Saturday, but luckily it came at just the right time. “It’s been great with all the messages from fans, but in terms of football it stays as similar as possible.”

Constable was unable to cap a memorable week with a goal, but was involved in United’s late equaliser.

The striker held off a defender and laid the ball off for Johnny Mullins to score, although for a moment he feared referee Andy D’Urso would rule it out.

He said: “I felt there could have been a lot more fouls given to us than there were.

“(Gary) Doherty and (Leon) Johnson were all over the back of us, so it was good to challenge someone and not have a foul given against me.

“It was nice to see it drop to Mulls, who has been on fire lately. The second he hit it we knew it was going in.”

Although there was joy about avoiding defeat, it was tempered by the fact United felt they should have seen if ten-man Wycombe to make it four wins in a row.

Constable said: “When they went down to ten men we obviously wanted to go and win it.

“Unfortunately we gave away that penalty and then they made it difficult by slowing the game down. “There were seven minutes of injury time, but I think it could possibly have been ten or 12.

“We’re delighted to have a point, but felt we maybe should have got more.”