A POTENTIAL promotion and 'ludicrous' rules are preventing Oxford United from implementing safe standing.

Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds has called for guarantees that the club could still use its proposed Ox-Rails safe standing approach if promoted.

Under current legislation, League One clubs can allow supporters to stand.

The Ox-Rails method would see a safety rail, independent of the seats, installed in sections of the East and North stands.

The club said the section would remain a seated area but the rail would provide an additional safety control measure for those persistently standing.

Ms Dodds, speaking at a Parliamentary debate on allowing safe standing should in the Premier League and Championship, said: "There are a number of fans at Oxford United who consistently stand and from my discussions with the club it is clear it's very difficult to prevent this.

"The Ox-Rails approach has been supported by local fans and the local safety advisory group,

"However the problem is that the club can't get a guarantee from the Sports Ground Safety Authority that if they move up into the Championship that they can retain the Oxrails.

"I find this pretty ludicrous because this is a safety measure and if it's good enough for League One, surely it would be sufficient in the Championship."

Following the debate, sports minister Tracey Crouch announced a fresh review.