OXFORD United have had an exhausting two years – but Sam Long is not ready for a break just yet.

The U’s are aiming to extend their season by at least two games when they take on Burton Albion tomorrow (12pm), with a place in the Sky Bet League One play-offs up for grabs.

Seventh-placed United will finish in the top six if they better Portsmouth’s and Charlton Athletic’s results against Accrington Stanley and champions Hull City respectively.

It is an achievement the U’s remain in the mix, having been bottom of the table at the start of November and still in the relegation zone on December 5.

They have had to deal with a congested fixture list due to the late start to the campaign, after a very short summer break following the play-off final defeat to Wycombe Wanderers last July.

But if results go United’s way tomorrow, they will have play-off semi-finals in the week beginning May 17 to look forward to.

Read also: Oxford United pair recall final-day despair and delight

The U’s have dug deep to reach this point and right back Long feels they can take heart from their journey.

He said: “The main thing has been the congestion of fixtures, not necessarily coming from back-to-back seasons.

“I know that’s obviously hard in itself, but I think at one stage we did nine Saturday-Tuesdays in a row.

“That’s incredible, you wouldn’t ever hear that.

“The injury list in the whole Football League is probably the longest it has ever been.

“Everyone’s missed a few games with knocks because it has been so demanding.

“We can take a lot of confidence from where we’ve put ourselves off the back of last year.

“There aren’t many teams still going who were still going at the end of last year.

“Fingers crossed it doesn’t end on Sunday.”

It has been a gruelling campaign, with Elliott Moore the only member of the squad to not miss a league minute.

Matty Taylor: Oxford United will miss the fans against Burton

The U’s captain has made 51 appearances and is the only player to rack up a half-century of games so far, although Matty Taylor can reach that total tomorrow.

Centre back Moore said: “I don’t think we’ll get another two seasons like this.

“We had the shortest break possible last year and went straight into it this year.

“With the ups and downs of the season, being rock bottom of the table at one point to now getting 71 points with one game to spare, it’s madness.

“It’s good to be in the position we are after everything that’s happened.

“Hopefully we’ll go one further and get in the play-offs.”