OXFORD United's players have now been put into the government's furlough scheme.

It covers 80 per cent of wages, up to £2,500 - but the club have said everyone will be paid in full for April, so anyone earning above that threshold will not lose out.

Several clubs in Sky Bet League One have already taken the measure in response to the ongoing suspension of the season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

United put non-key personnel into the scheme earlier this month, which leaves a small group of staff - including head coach Karl Robinson - still working at the club to keep things ticking over.

Skipper John Mousinho told the club's website: “It’s a sensible decision for all concerned.

"The club have been excellent and kept the players informed all the way through this uncertain time for the game.

"They sent out formal letters explaining the furlough and all of the players were happy to sign them.”

The decision has been made partly because there is no definite end in sight to the crisis, with the EFL advising clubs do not restart training until at least May 16.

Niall McWilliams, United's managing director, told the club's website: "There is no getting away from the difficulties that all football clubs are facing right now and having the players and staff furloughed is the way that most clubs have gone.

"We are blessed with a squad who are not just good players but good men as well.

"We talked to Karl, we talked to the players and we have done things properly to make sure everyone is looked after.

“There are so many questions that can’t be answered right now: when will we be training again, when will we be playing games, when will fans be allowed back?

"We are dealing with those and talking to the right people at all levels but the one thing that we can be sure of is that it will take time for football to get back to normal.

“We have to be ready for all eventualities and we are exploring all of our options in terms of completing the season and selling season tickets for the next one.

"That will be a key moment for lots of clubs, not just us, and we have to get it right because fans are having their own financial issues.

"Our message to those fans is the same as we told the players: stay home, stay safe, look after each other and be ready to play your part when we get back to playing again.”