Ond of Oxford United's most eagerly awaited early-season fixtures has been moved.

The U's visit to the Memorial Stadium to face Ian Atkins's Bristol Rovers has been put back from Bank Holiday Monday, August 29 to Tuesday, August 30 (7.45).

Because of the fierce rivalry between these two clubs, in the wake of Atkins's departure from Oxford to join Rovers, the fixture requires a larger than normal police presence.

Rovers wanted to avoid the even heftier police bill they would have been landed with on the Bank Holiday.

However, the new date now falls within the call-up time for internationals.

So should striker Craig Davies be called up for international duty by Wales, the two clubs have agreed that the match will be postponed and rearranged.

United turned down Rovers' initial request to rearrange the game, due to the international situation.

In the past, clubs needed two players called up for inter- national duty before they could ask for a game to be called off, but Oxford sought a special Foot- ball League ruling in this case.

And, because they have done so while clubs are making fixture changes before the start of the season, they have been granted permission to postpone the August 30 game if Davies is called up.