MARK Sykes admits the number of postponements suffered by Oxford United are making him have doubts about every game.

Saturday’s derby with Swindon Town was the third fixture in as many weeks called off by United’s opponents due to issues with coronavirus.

While the previous two against Crewe Alexandra came at short notice, the most recent call-off was difficult for another reason.

The U’s players left the training ground on Friday having been told the derby was off, before hearing in late afternoon the fixture would go ahead.

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That was then reversed in the evening – and Sykes acknowledged until their game at Charlton Athletic gets under way tonight, there will be some uncertainty in the back of the players’ minds.

“When it chops and changes so badly it messes you around,” he said.

“That’s football in these times and it’s not good. It’s tough to prepare in that way, because a few of the boys switched off a little bit knowing it was off and then you’re told at 5pm it’s back on again.

“It’s the third time this season for us. It knocks us out of our stride a little bit.”

He added: “Literally, we have no idea because we were in the changing room getting ready with the first Crewe game.

“You just never know, you could be sat here preparing for the game, get to Charlton and then it’s off.

“That’s just the way it is.”

It was the second time this season United had won a game and then been denied the chance to build on the momentum.

The squad had a training game on Saturday instead and Sean Clare thinks as the 3-2 win over Milton Keynes Dons was only a week ago, they should still have the confidence.

They will need it against a Charlton side who have won their last three games and have not conceded in four.

Clare said: “You don’t lose momentum from Saturday to Saturday, so we’ve not had a big gap.

“They will be as worried about us as we are about them.

“It’s will be a good game between two good teams.

“We’ve prepared well, so we’ve got a great chance to go there and do well.”