Oxford United centre back Matt Day says he is determined to cash in on his tremendous pre-season form by forcing his way into the starting line-up when the U's kick-off their Blue Square Premier campaign.

Hailed by manager Jim Smith as United's best player in pre-season, playing on the left side of a back three, Day, 20, wants to show the boss he can be relied upon.

And with skipper Phil Gilchrist suffering a setback in training as he recovers from a summer knee operation, Smith could turn to Day, who was signed last season after impressing on trial.

"Gilly is predominantly left-sided, but Matty has done ever so well for us," said Smith. "He can also fill in at full back should we need him to.

"I want to get in the first team," said Day after playing the whole of Monday night's 2-1 defeat against Luton.

"When I came here last year, I hadn't played any first-team football. I came in as a triallist and I had to earn myself a contract.

"And now I have to do the same thing, by showing I can do it."

Day, who has played in the friendlies against Didcot Town, Eastleigh and Bournemouth, added: "It's going well. I am only 20, but I have had to act like an older player.

Day feels that United are better equipped for a promotion challenge than they were last season.

He said: "We seem fitter and stronger and this year we have signed some very promising younger players.

"Hopefully, we can go all out this season and win it, like I know we can."

Meanwhile, Smith said he would be fielding a young side in tonight's friendly at Court Place Farm against Oxford City, which is sponsored by the Oxford Mail.

United hope to include centre back Chris Willmott after his recovery from knee surgery, Arthur Gnohere, Ben Weedon, David Molloy, plus youth triallists Dane Sutton and Lloyd O'Neill.

Experienced striker Marvin Robinson could feature after playing in only the last 18 minutes of the Luton game.

Oxford City, fresh from Saturday's 6-0 win at Long Buckby, are likely to field a strong line-up.

Oxford Utd: (from) Worrell, Malloy, Willmott, Gnohere, Weedon, Posey, Spillman, Clarke, Sutton, Robinson, O'Neill, Deering, Dztiki.