Ian Atkins was sporting a wry smile after Oxford United's match at Southend was called off following torrential overnight rain.

The U's team coach had only been on the road for five minutes when the news came through that the Roots Hall pitch had failed a 10.30 pitch inpsection on Wednesday.

But although United were keen to continue their impressive recent run which has seen them win seven of the last eight matches, Atkins admitted that with a few injury doubts, the extra rest before the big FA Cup tie at Arsenal on Saturday was welcome.

"It is always disappointing when a game is off after you have prepared for it, but it does give us a chance to get some players fit before Saturday's match," he said.

"We had kept it very quiet, but Matt Robinson had a tight hamstring and was not fit, and Dave Savage was also not going to make it.

"Dean Whitehead was also not 100 per cent, but with James Hunt missing, he would probably have had to play when ideally we would have rested him."

The postponement means that it is now full steam ahead for the glamour Cup clash at Highbury on Saturday.

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