CHILDREN at an Oxford hospital were given an early Christmas present - when the Oxford United squad turned up for a visit.

All the players, along with chairman Nick Merry, new manager Darren Patterson and community officer, Peter Rhoades- Brown, spent the afternoon visiting sick youngsters at Oxford Children's Hospital, in Headington.

And for one sick young boy, yesterday's visit could not have come at a better time.

Matty Lee, 12, from Carterton, was only diagnosed with leukaemia last Wednesday and is currently in the cancer ward for treatment.

Matty said: "It was good to meet the players and they gave me signed photos and a hat.

"My brother is a big Oxford United fan, he will be really jealous."

Mum and dad, Sharon and Darren Lee, said the visit had been really appreciated.

Mrs Lee, 38, said: "Matty is going to be in and out of hospital over the next three years having chemotherapy, so something like this is a nice little treat for him."

For two teenagers, the visit was also an early birthday present.

Matthew Holder-Wooloff, from Bicester, who will be celebrating his 15th birthday tomorrow, said it was nice to have something to take his mind off his treatment.

Matthew, who is also suffering from leukaemia, said: "I've been in and out of hospital three times in the past eight days, and I've been in quite a lot of pain.

"It's nice to have the players coming to visit.

"I wasn't expecting it at all. It takes your mind off of things and it really cheered me up."

United fan Jemma Harrison, from Newbury, will be in hospital for her 16th birthday this Saturday, as she undergoes treatment for her cystic fibrosis.

Jemma, who was with her mum, Julie Forbes, 42, when the players dropped in, said her dad would have been disappointed to have missed the visit.

She said: "I'm a big fan of the club, but my dad is a massive fan and has got the club emblem tattooed on his arm.

"He would have loved to have seen all the players walking in today.

"It was really great to meet them, as it can be boring being in hospital.

"I'm gutted to be missing my 16th so this helped make up for it."

Oxford United chairman, Nick Merry, said: "We always like to do whatever we can for the local community as we feel Oxford United is very much a part of it."

Midfielder, Phil Trainer, said the visit to the hospital helped give the players a sense of perspective.

He said: "It's great to come out and do stuff like this and help. It really makes me realise how lucky I am to being doing the job I do."

A spokesman for the hospital said: "It really gives our patients a lift, especially our younger ones who enjoy the chance to meet the squad."