James Constable, Oxford United’s top scorer, says he’s desperate to make up for lost time in the big Boxing Day battle against Rushden & Diamonds.

The 18-goal striker missed United’s last match, against Hayes & Yeading in the FA Trophy.

And with last Friday’s Blue Square Premier match at Cambridge United snowed off, it’ll be more than two and a half weeks since he last played when he steps out onto the Kassam Stadium pitch against the Diamonds.

The U’s have an opportunity on Boxing Day to strengthen their position at the top because while they’re at home – and in front of a bumper crowd – second-placed Stevenage Borough visit Cambridge, and third-placed York City have a similarly difficult match against Mansfield Town.

Constable said: “They’re important games at this time of year. It’s not ideal for teams with these conditions, they’re missing out on training sometimes, so hopefully we can win these games and put some points between us and the chasing pack.

“We’ve been training hard and the lads who haven’t been involved in the game the week before last have been doing a bit extra, so we’re raring to go, and if it warms up a bit, the Boxing Day game will be a good one.

“Rushden always seem to have a decent side – every season they seem to be in amongst it. Obviously, we’re treating it as a tough game.”

Constable takes over the captaincy from Adam Murray, whose one-match ban carries over from Cambridge.

“It was disappointing not to play that game in the end,” said Constable.

“But the weather’s one of those things you can’t change and it’s always going to be bad at this time of year.

“It does make it difficult and Saturday looks like there might be the same with uncertainty over the weather . . . we’re just going to prepare as if it’s on, and just hope it warms up a bit.”

It’s not often that centre forwards are made skipper, but the former Kidderminster and Shrewsbury striker says he relishes it, and has always got Mark Creighton to help him out as a good talker in central defence.

“I love being captain, I love the responsibility and to be captain of this side is a massive honour,” he said.

“It’s something I enjoy doing and having the lads rallying round.

“Obviously at the back Creights is quite a leader, he’s been captain of the teams he’s played for.

“You don’t really need to tell lads at that age what they need to do, I think he knows, and he controls the back well. I just try to keep a control of the lads in midfield, and the lads up front.”