OXFORD United will be glad of the week’s gap between the semi-final and their date at Wembley, says Cameron Brannagan.

The coronavirus lockdown saw them go four months without a competitive fixture – most of which was spent training in isolation.

After just two external friendly matches they were plunged into the high-stakes Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final with Portsmouth.

And with the home and away legs spread over just four days, it was of little surprise the U’s were unable to produce the sort of fluid football which had got them into promotion contention.

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It is asking a lot to expect them to hit top gear at Wembley on Monday, especially with so much riding on the game, but Brannagan believes the extra days spent on recovery and preparation will edge them closer.

“It gives us time to work on the training pitch and focus on us to get the ball moving again,” he said.

“We played Friday and Monday so there wasn’t much time to recover.

“That’s part of the moment we’re in and we’ll take it all day.

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“It’s been tough, especially with the start of lockdown and there wasn’t much we could do.

“As a footballer you want to be with the boys and playing.

“It’s just the way life is at the minute, a lot of people are less fortunate than us so we have to think about them as well.”

“We’re back playing and luckily enough we’re on our way.”

While Karl Robinson’s men have a more expansive style than final opponents Wycombe Wanderers, teams do not get this far being one-trick ponies.

United have shown an appetite to dig in and scrap for a result when required, whether it was at Rotherham United, Newcastle United or in the two games with Portsmouth.

And that side will be called on again against the Chairboys.

Brannagan said: “We want to get the ball down and control the game.

“There have been times we’ve dug deep and got results.

“We did that against Portsmouth and it shows what a group of players we’ve got.

“We’re willing to fight for each other, no matter what.

“We’ve got a gaffer and a backroom staff that believe in us. I love every single one of them and hopefully now we can finish the job.”