Michael Appleton is looking forward to getting to know his players better after Oxford United arranged a last-minute training camp at Bisham Abbey.

This is the first summer that the U’s have not gone away on a pre-season tour since 2008.

But Appleton, who took over as head coach less than a fortnight ago, was keen to get away and gel with the squad.

United found a vacancy at the national sports centre in Berkshire and will hold a camp between Monday and Thursday next week.

Appleton said: “I love having the opportunity to spend 24-7 with players.

“It’s one thing trying to learn about a player when he comes into training every day, it’s another to see what his interests are off the field, to see what he’s about as a personality.

“You learn so much more about the individual rather than the player.”

The trip means United have cancelled Tuesday’s scheduled development squad fixture at Kettering.

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