Oxford United striker James Constable relishing fitness boost

Oxford United striker James Constable says he hopes the club's extra investment in player fitness will help them push for promotion this season.

The U's have spent £150,000 on improving the fitness and sport science department after the injury problems that plagued them last season.

U's boss Chris Wilder has been working closely with Wigan's sports science department to improve their fitness.

"It's good and it bodes well for the lads," Constable told BBC Radio Oxford.

United looked certainties for the play-offs last season before injuries and a lack of fitness stopped saw them fail to win in their last seven games and miss out.

It led to outgoing chairman Kelvin Thomas claiming the players were not fit enough, with his replacement Ian Lenagan vowing to improve that area.

And Constable says the players are already feeling the benefits with the U's ending their pre-season trip of the United States unbeaten.

"We've had a lot of input from Wigan rugby league club, they've been down to see us about fitness and nutrition," added Constable.

"The key is hopefully we can stay the 90 minutes and keep going, especially the way we play we are always going create chances.

"So, if we can keep the fitness up on the pitch week in and week out then it bodes well for the new season."