OXFORD United manager Jim Smith has joked that punters should place a wager on York City making the play-offs this Saturday.

The Kassam Stadium side are already certain of their top-five place as well as runners-up spot in the Conference table and, with tongue firmly in cheek, Smith has hinted he would like to see his old pal Billy McEwan's team join them in the play-off battle.

McEwan worked as a coach under Smith at Derby County and the former Birmingham and Newcastle United boss, known as the Bald Eagle, said: "York aren't there yet and could miss out if we beat them but Billy McEwan is their manager and he's my best mate so you should maybe get your money on York."

Oxford are understood not to be too keen on the prospect of visiting York twice in the space of six days, which would happen if McEwan's side finished fifth in the table.

The only way Oxford could avoid that scenario would be by allowing City to take maximum points but the reality of the situation is Smith will be fielding certain fringe players, who will be out to impress with possible play-off starting places at stake.

Smith said: "We've got to go there and remember that whoever plays, they're all fighting for a place in the next game. We can't say anybody's got an absolute right to play in the next game, because of the inconsistencies of our results.

"So whoever plays has got a shout of playing at Wembley and I don't think anybody can be clever enough to try and work out a result that will determine who we will face in the play-offs.

"Whoever it will be, whether it's York, Exeter or Burton - they all want to play football."