OXFORD United centre back Jake Wright has given their new training ground the thumbs-up after they returned for their first week of pre-season training.

The U’s used to train at Chesterton, but are now based at Rover Sports and Social Club in Roman Way, Cowley, just a few miles away from the Kassam Stadium and also the home of Oxford CC.

As well as numerous pitches, a state-of-the-art gym is now being built, and the former Brighton defender feels the move will give them a big advantage.

“It’s a really good training ground, even though it’s an extra 20 minutes from home for me,” said Wright.

“Having a training base like this means that you can do a bit of extra training and work on parts of your game you want to improve.

“If the gym is half-an-hour away some players don’t want to bother, but a gym is being put in – it looks really good – which means everything is in one place.”

Wright said the players had all come through last week’s fitness test, which involved a gruelling work-out on the treadmill, with flying colours.

He added: “All the lads did really well – no one fell on the safety mat.”

And Wright said all the players were relishing their pre-season USA tour.

“It should be a good trip, though we’ll still be working hard over there.

“It’s also important to get the lads together before the season starts and the new signings have fitted in really well.

“I had a good holiday in Alcudia, Majorca and Turkey, and now I’m raring to go.

“This is probably my tenth pre-season, but it’s a lot better now – it used to be run as far as you can for as long as you can.

“Everyone has a heartbeat monitor, so that training is tailored to individual needs.”