YOUNG Oxford United players Dean Whitehead and Chris Hackett have vehemently denied accusations of unprofession- alism.

United boss Ian Atkins called the duo unprofessional after claiming they failed to do a programme of weights and fitness training he had set them, believing they had instead "pushed off early" from The Kassam Stadium last Thursday.

Their inclusion in the squad for a reserve game at Banbury United last Friday night, just hours before the first-team's Division 3 match at Mansfield, was seen as a punishment.

The Oxford United website last Friday quoted Atkins as saying: "They were supposed to do weights yesterday afternoon but went home instead. That is not acceptable.

"The programme of training is there for their benefit. We can't be there to hold their hands all the time, so if they don't do it, it is down to them."

But the two local youngsters have responded that they did do the programme. The whole thing has been a misunderstanding, they say. They finished early because they started it early.

In a statement released through his agent, Andrew Mills, Hackett said he wanted to assure both the manager and supporters of his commitment to Oxford United's cause.

"The first thing I knew about this was when I read Monday's paper. As you can imagine, I was both a little surprised and disappointed that there were questions being asked about my commitment and professionalism.

"I have taken the opportunity to assure the manager that, contrary to the reports, our circuits routine was completed in full, but because we started early, we finished a little bit earlier than normal.

"I have assured Ian that I am a firm believer in working hard to achieve your rewards, so I know exactly what the manager expects and demands from his lads.

"As a local lad I have been brought up with Oxford United and nothing would give me more pleasure than to be part of returning the club to its rightful place in the top flight." Whitehead said: "It's a misunderstanding between everybody because we did do the programme.

"We love the game and we're looking to try to improve ourselves all the time. I often come back and do extra training in the afternoons.

"I was very upset when I read the comments. The fans are going to think the local lads don't care about Oxford United and that couldn't be further from the truth."

Atkins said: "I'm just trying to set out standards and give them good habits for the rest of their careers.

"They haven't done anything wrong as such and they're both lovely lads. This was not a serious thing."