Oxford United are reminding season ticket holders that their seats for the Carling Cup clash with Reading on September 24 will only be reserved until Saturday evening.

Officials are expecting a near sell-out crowd for the first meeting of the two teams since United moved from the Manor to the Kassam Stadium.

And with less than three weeks to go before the derby clash, United officials are keen to remind fans that time is running out if they are to secure their favoured seat.

"The response has been good so far," said ticket office supervisor Dawn Wylie. "But season ticket holders must note that their seats will only be saved until after the match against Southend on Saturday.

"The tickets go on open sale the following Monday, and any season ticket holder who has not already got his or her ticket by then, risks losing their seat for the Reading game."

The ticket-office will be open from 9am on Saturday morning until kick-off, but Reading tickets will only be available until 1.30.

The office will be open for 15 minutes after the final whistle.

Meanwhile, boss Ian Atkins will be trying to seal the permanent signing of on-loan defender Jon Ashton within the next few days.

The Leicester centre back's loan spell at United runs out immediately after the full-time whistle on Saturday.