OXFORD United plan to scale back training today in a bid to recover from two intense games in time for Saturday’s clash with Rotherham United.

Pep Clotet’s side have expended plenty of effort in draining games played over the space of four days.

They came out on top with a 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers last Saturday, before sharing a 1-1 home draw with Charlton Athletic on Tuesday.

It lifted them to sixth in Sky Bet League One, two places behind the Millers, who visit the Kassam Stadium this weekend.

The players would normally have a lengthy session at the training ground today, but United’s manager admitted there would be changes to the routine.

He said: “We have to assess that everyone is 100 per cent to be able to compete against Rotherham, because the intensity will be up there and it will be a really tough game.

“On a Thursday you would normally try to mix it a little bit and do more on the pitch.

“Maybe this Thursday we’ll go a little bit easier, because there are a lot of players who have played a lot of games in a row, and then everyone will be ready to train on Friday.”

United’s newly-installed cryotherapy chamber at the Kassam will help the players – ten of whom started both games – recover from their exertions.

The demanding run has come as no surprise to defender Christian Ribeiro, who struck United’s equaliser against Charlton.

He said: “We knew coming into this run that all the sides would be really good.

“Bristol Rovers away is probably one of the hardest games we’ll have because of the way they play, it’s so intense.

“It was absolutely exhausting playing that game and Charlton was another one.

“It was a really fast game and now on Saturday we’ve got another good side.

“All we can do is keep picking ourselves up.”

United’s options against Rotherham should be boosted.

Jon Obika made a return as a substitute on Tuesday and Rob Hall is expected to be fit after a groin strain, while Joe Rothwell is available following a one-game ban.

Clotet said: “It says a lot about the commitment of all the players, because we managed to play through this period without many attacking options.

“Now slowly they’re getting back.”