Max Crocombe’s international call-up will not put him at a disadvantage when it comes to Oxford United’s pre-season, according to the club’s goalkeeping coach Wayne Brown.

A group of players, who live locally returned for gruelling physical testing at Oxford Brookes University yesterday, with winger Sam Humphreys among the first to hit the treadmill.

But Crocombe was not among them, after being named in the New Zealand Under 23 squad for the Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea.

The final of the tournament, where the winners will earn a spot at next summer’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, is not until July 12.

It means the keeper could miss at least the first fortnight of United’s pre-season, but Brown has taken steps to ensure Crocombe will return in good condition.

He said: “I know the goalkeeping coach (Paul Gothard) over there really well. We’ve been in contact and they know he needs to be pushed.

“We don’t want him to come back sluggish, but the guys won’t allow that.“It will be a great experience for Max and it can only be good for him.”

The 21-year-old’s absence will not leave United short, with new signing Sam Slocombe and Ryan Clarke due to return with the rest of the squad next week.

Reports in the north east have also linked the club with a season-long loan move for Newcastle United’s teenage keeper Freddie Woodman, son of former U’s keeper Andy.

Oxford United’s Easter Saturday game against Stevenage at the Kassam Stadium has been brought forward to Good Friday, March 25 (3).