OXFORD United have begun 'thorough planning' for the return of fans to the Kassam Stadium, says chairman Sumrith 'Tiger' Thanakarnjanasuth.

The government's 'road map' out of lockdown has provisionally pencilled in May 17 as the date sporting venues can start welcoming spectators on a limited basis.

That is too late for the Sky Bet League One campaign, which ends on May 8, but could allow up to 10,000 supporters to watch the play-off final at Wembley on the weekend of May 29 to 31.

Read also: No fans in sporting venues until May 17

United played three home matches in front of fans during the brief easing of restrictions in December and Tiger revealed that had helped the club plan ahead.

"We looked at those games, saw how the logistics worked and we have been able to keep working behind the scenes to make plans and get ready for the day when we can play in front of our fans again," he told the U's official website.

“We have written so many plans and strategies over the last twelve months, and then most of them had to be ripped up. 

"But we have a framework and now we have a potential timeline, so we have once again started thorough planning for the return of fans.

"I believe we have been open and honest all the way through and we will always be that.

"All we ask is for just a little more patience as we get to the end of lockdown.

"We have plans, we are talking about them all the time, and once we get the green light and official confirmation of what we can and cannot do then we know we will be ready to welcome people back."

Karl Robinson: Oxford United still in play-off race

United will only play in front of supporters again this season if they reach the play-offs, but Tiger added that would bring its own challenges.

He said: “It sounds, at the moment, as though May 17 is the date for fans to return to games.

"I think even that date presents problems: the play-offs are around that date and demand will be huge, whichever clubs are involved.

"Somebody told me that the 17th is in the middle, so you could have one play-off with no fans and the other with supporters in the ground.

“That maybe shows you the scale of the problems we are now going to face.

"Our message has been consistent all year.

"We want our fans back at the games as quickly as we can, that is our dream, but only when it is safe for everyone."