OXFORD United have appointed Chris Short to become their new head of sports science.

The 48-year-old officially took up the position this morning after leaving Blackpool, where his final game was last night's Carabao Cup defeat at Arsenal.

United had a vacancy following Scott Daly's departure last weekend and in Short they have brought in someone with vast experience.

His playing career included spells at Notts County and Sheffield United, alongside U's first-team coach Shaun Derry.

Short has been a fitness coach at a series of big clubs since hanging up his boots, including Blackburn Rovers, Crystal Palace and Leicester City - working with U's coach Derek Fazackerley at the latter.

He said: "I know Karl from playing against his sides, but didn’t know him personally.

"I think he’s perhaps been influenced by Shaun and Faz, who I’ve known very well for many years.

"Karl phoned me and gave me an opportunity to come in. It’s a good club that’s progressive and will hopefully be successful."

Robinson was thrilled to bring Short on board.

He said: "It’s a real coup for us to attract him, the club worked very hard.

"Faz and Shaun have worked with him, so we could bend his ear with that.

"He’s probably one of the best out there that we felt we could get."