OXFORD United start the new campaign this weekend confident there will be no Wembley hangover.

The Carabao Cup first round tie against AFC Wimbledon at the Kassam Stadium is their first competitive game since the Sky Bet League One play-off final.

A painful 2-1 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers has not been forgotten, but the squad have sought to get it out in the open to ensure they have moved on.

Even for a new signing like Marcus McGuane, it was useful.

The Nottingham Forest loanee said: “I could see the boys were very disappointed with how the play-off final went.

“We had a conversation with all the boys, led by the captain (John Mousinho).

“They said ‘look, this is how it felt’. People told their individual stories – boys being sick, boys crying.

“That made me want to fight for the boys and say ‘let’s go one better this season’.

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“It’s good to clear the air, put it to bed and look forward to this season.

“I know the aim is to get promoted this season and I think we’ve got a fantastic group of boys, so there’s no reason why (we can’t).”

Matty Taylor admitted he thought pre-season was going to be a grind as the players worked the disappointment out of their systems.

But the striker, who made his loan move permanent within three weeks of the defeat, has been pleased with the atmosphere.

“I think for a few weeks we were almost dreading coming back because there’s a bit of a hangover, but it’s surprised me,” he said.

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“We’re not forgetting about it, we’re using it as a motivational tool and learning from it, because ultimately we weren’t good enough.”

Liam Kelly is another player to return this summer for a second crack at League One.

The midfielder, who suffered a play-off final defeat with Reading in 2017, believes the unusually quick turnaround between campaigns has helped.

He said: “I feel like not having such a long break between last season and this season can be a benefit.

“You always have it in the back of your mind, but you’re not sat at home too long overthinking it.

“Obviously the boys will still be hurting, so that’ll give us that extra 10-15 per cent to go one better.”