AUSTRIA TOUR DIARY

Oxford United are two nights into their pre-season training camp and, whisper it quietly, it is so far, so good.

Getting a large group through an airport can be problematic – just ask Deane Smalley, who very nearly did not make it past check-in on the way to the USA three years ago.

Thankfully, on this occasion everyone appeared to make it safely all the way to the coach at Vienna Airport, where a 40-minute ride completed the journey.

Our accommodation is an interesting mix of holiday camp and industrial estate, but it has everything the squad requires and the attraction for United is everything is on site.

Big chunks of time on previous trips have been lost ferrying the players from hotel to training ground and back again.

Here the training pitches are a minute’s walk from reception, which is useful for any players, like Joe Skarz, who lose their room card five minutes before a session and are still able to change clothes and turn up on time – avoiding the all-important fine for being late.

The players all came through two sessions injury-free yesterday, ahead of the trip’s centrepiece tonight.

The game against SC Wiener Neustadt should provide both sides with something out of the ordinary, and everyone in the camp is looking forward to seeing the travelling supporters.

For everyone else, we will have live updates of United’s European clash on oxfordmail.co.uk/sport from 5.30 (BST).

Auf Wiedersehen.