CHRIS Allen believes some Oxford United players will be unfortunate to be outside the first XI when the season starts next month after overseeing a 4-0 win at Thame United last night.

The side was made up of players who did not start Saturday's 2-0 victory at Eastleigh.

It included Michael Collins, Josh Ruffels and Callum O'Dowda - all regulars last season - along with the likes of Patrick Hoban, Chey Dunkley and Sam Long.

U's boss Michael Appleton has named a settled side during pre-season and players have just one more opportunity to impress, against Coventry City at Nuneaton Town on Saturday, before the season kicks off on August 8.

Allen was pleased with the attitude of those who played last night, but acknowledged the strength of the squad meant good players may have to bide their time.

The assistant head coach said: "It was a good workout. Off the ball they worked really hard and on the ball we created a lot of opportunities.

"Players should always be upset if they’re not in a first-team place and they should always want to be in the first team.

"We’ve got a close-knit squad and there are a lot of players out there who would find themselves unlucky not to be involved in the first XI, but every game they need to perform.

"There’s no small game and we didn’t treat this as one against Thame United.

"We knew they would work hard, which they did.

"They made it difficult for us and all credit to them, we had to work hard to get the result."

United brought on two substitutes on trial with the squad.

Udanta Singh's stay was revealed last week, but little is known about a young French forward who arrived on Monday.

All Allen knew was his first name is Gaeten, who is due to stay for a couple of weeks.

He said: "He’s come over for a couple of weeks for us to have a look at him and he’s done alright.

"We’ll have to see what happens from there."