Oxford United haven't had to go far to get a hotel before their game at Torquay.

They will be staying at The Sandpipers Hotel - run by the parents of their youth team player, Richard Groves.

After the long journey down to the Devon Riviera, the U's players will have a rest in the hotel and then a light pre-match meal to prepare for tonight's Blue Square Premier game at Plainmoor.

Richard, a central midfielder with United's under 18s, said: "My family's owned the hotel for about seven years. It's near the sea-front and all the rooms are quite nice.

"Our youth team stayed overnight there earlier in the season before our at Plymouth. It was a bit strange for me then, because all my teammates were in the guest rooms, and I was back in my own room!"

Richard, 17, who stays up in digs in Oxford while he continues as a first-year scholar, is currently sidelined with an ankle ligaments injury and didn't know whether he would be heading to Torquay himself to watch the match.

"It depends on whether I need treatment on my ankle," he said.

Mickey Lewis, United's assistant boss, who was the youth-team coach when they stayed at The Sandpipers earlier in the season, said: "Its a nice hotel, and it's ideal for us. And they've given us a good rate!"

Hotel owners David and Carol Groves are delighted to be receiving Oxford United.

Said David: "I go to see all Richard's games, and have been to quite a few Torquay games since I've been down here. But I'l be going along to support Oxford."