Michael Appleton says he is in the best position he has been as a coach ahead of Oxford United’s players reporting back for pre-season duty today.

Half of the squad will undergo physical testing at Oxford Brookes University, with the rest following on Tuesday, before the first session at the training ground on Wednesday.

The U’s are hoping to bring in one more signing shortly, but have already done the majority of their transfer business – with Liam Sercombe, Kemar Roofe, Ryan Taylor and Sam Slocombe all arriving.

Appleton’s previous experience as a No 1 was at Portsmouth, who were in financial meltdown, followed by brief spells at Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers.

The head coach admits he has never been happier.

“I’m probably as content (about) where I think I’m going and where I want to end up,” he said.

“This will be the first season as a manager where I’ve actually got a group of players together that would probably be considered to be mine.

“Then you live and die by what you do.”

The 2014-15 season was the first time Appleton had been in charge for a whole campaign.

It turned out to be a transitional phase, with 42 players used – a figure the club has no intention of getting near this season.

They were in the bottom half of Sky Bet League Two throughout and there were times when Appleton came under pressure, before a strong finish lifted the mood.

The United boss expected a challenge, but remains grateful to chairman Darryl Eales for giving him time.

“At the end of the day, you can lose your job if you win the league,” he said. “I’ve seen managers leave when they’re in the top six.

“I think if you start worrying about that you are in trouble, but there were certainly opportunities that the chairman could’ve done that.

“I give him my thanks for not doing that because of course I’d have thought it was a poor decision“But I bet there were certain people at the time who wouldn’t have thought it was a poor decision.”

He added: “I was glad that even during a sticky period I was given an opportunity to clear the decks and make sure the club is in a steady position, like it is now