OXFORD United welcomed some of the county's NHS heroes to the training ground today to say thank you for their work during the coronavirus pandemic.

The club invited 25 U's fans and staff from the Kassam Stadium vaccination centre to Oxford Sports Park as part of the English Football League's season launch.

United head coach Karl Robinson spoke to the group, while Matty Taylor, Mark Sykes, Cameron Brannagan, Dan Agyei, academy manager Dan Harris and Peter Rhoades-Brown also took questions.

They stayed to watch the U's draw 1-1 with Barnet in their final pre-season friendly and will form a guard of honour for the club's first home Sky Bet League One game, against Charlton Athletic next Saturday.

Match report: Gavin Whyte scores as Oxford United draw with Barnet

“They are some of the biggest heroes this county has ever seen,” Robinson said.

“I think it’ll get to me, seeing people living their lives again (at Cambridge United on Saturday). 

“That’s never taking away the lives that have been lost and people who have been hospitalised through this pandemic. 

“As much as our hearts are still with them, we’re back together and that unit has got to be as strong as ever.”

Agyei added: “It’s amazing what they’ve been doing. 

“It’s important they see we all appreciate what they’ve done.”