OXFORD United's plans for having a practice friendly this week have been scuppered by the weather.

As the U's do not have a game this Saturday, there were thoughts of playing a game yesterday or today, but the severe overnight frosts put paid to that.

Said U's boss Darren Patterson: "The frosts have meant we have had to train indoors the past couple of mornings, although it is sometimes possible to get outside in the afternoon, if the ground has thawed enough.

"But we've also got to be careful on the hard grounds because we've got a few players coming back from injuries."

One player the manager won't want to risk is striker Craig McAllister, pictured.

He played 20 minutes against Droylsden on Saturday, his first slice of action since since injuring a hamstring.