Andy Melville believes the form of Oxford United’s three forwards will cause problems for any defence in the league.

And the U’s coach, a former centre back, is well qualified to comment.

Melville played against some of the world’s best strikers while earning 65 caps for Wales.

His assessment of the performance of James Constable, Steve MacLean and Tom Craddock in the 3-1 victory over Shrewsbury – which took United into the play-off places – was frank.

“Constable’s such a handful,” Melville said. “He’s so positive, even in training every day.

“He’s hustling and bustling into defenders, and every defender, after playing against Constable, knows they’ve been in a game.”

He added: “I thought Steve MacLean was brilliant in the way he linked everything up. One was coming short, one was going long, the same as Tom (Craddock), and a lot of defenders at this level can’t handle it.”

Constable’s two-goals both came with his left foot – and the striker admitted that he doesn’t especially practise that skill.

The right-footer moved clear of Craddock as United’s leading scorer this season, taking his tally to 12, ten of them in the league.

Craddock also has 12 in total for the season, ten for Oxford, and two for his previous club, Luton.

Constable said, of the two goals, the second gave him the most pleasure.

His own goals-per-game ratio is spectacular. It now stands at 38 goals in 60 starts for Oxford.