Oxford United fans are in a real hurry to get their seats for the eagerly anticipated derby clash with Swindon Town next year.

And the speed in which the remaining home tickets are sold will determine whether the club decide to get a fourth, temporary stand for the npower League Two clash on Saturday, March 3.

Tickets went on general sale on Tuesday, with around 1,500 being snapped up in the first 24 hours.

With season-ticket holders and members already having had the chance to buy extra tickets, just under 2,000 remain for United supporters before the club need to make a decision on what happens next.

U’s chairman Kelvin Thomas says that a number of factors have to be taken into account, but expressed his delight at both the speed and efficiency that tickets have been sold.

“I am very happy indeed with how many have been sold,” he said.

“And I am also really pleased that the system we put in place was well thought out and is working.

“There are just under 2,000 tickets still available to Oxford supporters at the moment.

“We will see how quickly they go, and then judge what we feel the demand for the additional tickets would be before making a decision on a fourth stand.”

If the remaining tickets sell quickly, up to a further 2,500 could then be available to Oxford supporters, with Swindon being given the extra stand.

Should that happen, the derby match would then see the highest-ever attendance at the Kassam Stadium.

* United have held early discussions with AFC Wimbledon and Dagenham about the possibility of moving their League Two clash – both scheduled for next year – to Saturday, December 3.

The date is set aside for FA Cup second-round matches, but with Oxford out, and the London clubs facing away replays, the U’s have floated the idea of bringing forward their game.

Both are currently scheduled for midweek.