OXFORD United’s position at the wrong end of the table should mean they do not need any extra motivation when Crewe Alexandra visit tomorrow, according to skipper John Mousinho.

It is the third attempt to get the fixture played, after two previous efforts were postponed due to coronavirus issues in the visitors’ camp.

And after having their clash with Doncaster Rovers postponed on Saturday due to international call-ups, the U’s remain in Sky Bet League One’s bottom four.

For Mousinho, that is the more pressing issue.

He said: “It might be (spicier). You never know with these things.

“If that’s going to motivate the lads, then great.

“I suspect when you’re in the heat of the battle, what’s happened a couple of months ago and the way Crewe have handled themselves in these games isn’t going to make too much of a difference.

“I hope there’s more motivation within the lads that we’re in a really poor league position and we need to win this game.”

However, the context of the two postponements did leave United feeling hard done by.

Boss Karl Robinson suggested they should be awarded the points when the rearranged game was scrapped.

His Crewe counterpart, David Artell, responded with some ill-judged comments.

It means despite the focus being on improving their league position, Mousinho admitted there would be extra satisfaction of United could get a result.

He said: “Certainly, not to use too old a cliché, but we do owe them one.

“I think we felt particularly aggrieved by those two cancellations, so it would be nice to get one over them.”

Crewe will arrive full of confidence after claiming one of the results of the weekend in the EFL.

They climbed to 13th with a 2-0 victory against leaders Peterborough United.

None of the sides below them in action won, so the U’s stayed 21st.