No decision on Jim Smith's future as Oxford United manager is expected before the middle of next week.

U's chairman Nick Merry told the Oxford Mail that a board meeting would take place on Wednesday night, when Smith returns from a short break abroad.

Smith has come under intense pressure to step down as manager after an embarrassing 5-0 defeat at Rushden on Thursday night.

"Thursday was obviously very disappointing," Merry said. "The performance wasn't good enough.

"Jim has gone away to Spain for a few days, and when he returns, we will have a board meeting on Wednesday night."

Meanwhile, Supporters group OxVox have pleaded with Merry to advertise the manager's position at United.

"Everyone would love Jim Smith to succeed now in the way he did so famously in the 1980s," they said in a statement.

"Sadly, with each passing match, fewer and fewer supporters are convinced he is the answer."