West Brom Preview

Full preview as United head for the Hawthorns

We look ahead to Oxford United's trip to West Bromwich Albion in the second round of the Capital One Cup. 

TEAM NEWS

New signing Will Hoskins goes straight into the squad as United head for the Hawthorns. The 28-year-old former Brighton forward trained with the squad for the first time yesterday and is included as Michael Appleton goes back to a club he still holds in the highest regard.

"I spent ten years at West Brom and am really looking forward to going back," Michael said. "I joined Man United when I was ten and spent ten years there but West Brom is where I had the best time in my career and where I got my chance as a coach. The club were brilliant in giving me an opportunity and to go from coaching the young players to working as asssitant to Roy Hodgson there was fantastic experience. They are a good club and obviously they have some great players. We have to hope they have an off day and we play at our best, but we will go there and have a real go at it."

Hoskins is likely to be on the bench for the first time for the U's tonight and Appleton said:

"There were a lot of clubs looking at him and I think it speaks volumes that he saw what we are trying to do here and really wants to be part of it. He may play a part on Tuesday but he will be more involved against Dagenham on Saturday I would think."

The Preview Show for this game features Will Hoskins and Joe Riley. View it now in Yellow Player

THE OPPOSITION

West Brom boss Alan Irvine is likely to field a full-strength team tonight. Irvine was at Morecambe last week to watch the U's in person, something he hopes will pay off tonight:

“It is the way that I have always worked and will continue to work," said Irvine. "It is a lot better to see players playing live. I was at Tottenham v QPR on Sunday and the fact is that I will go wherever there is a game that is important to us.

"I would not normally be at Morecambe and Oxford in this role but there was an opportunity to go and see them and I am really glad that I did because I have a good idea what to expect from Oxford. I met a few former Albion faces the other night and they are looking forward to the occasion and I hope that they enjoy the occasion - but not the result."

"This competition really is important. It is very important - I would like a cup run. I am sure that our fans would love a cup run. I am sure the board would love a cup run - and that is what we will try and get.

"I will only put people in who I think are able to play at a good level in the game. It would be disrespectful to Oxford - and it is not going to be an easy game. I know what Oxford's results have been like this season but they did win in the cup and when I watched them last week at Morecambe they played extremely well.

TICKET NEWS

United have 2,800 tickets in the covered Smethwick Road End behind the goal.  Fans travelling to the game should note that it is cheaper in advance, with advance tickets available until 2pm today. Fans collecting tickets for tonight need to do so before 3pm. Tickets not collected by that time will be taken to West Brom and available from the away ticket collection point at the away end at the Hawthorns.

Advance ticket prices are £10 for all supporters, other than under 17s who pay £5.

On the day prices rise to £15 and £10 for under 17s.

(Wheelchair/ambulant supporters are priced as above with a PA free).

Tickets are available online now at www.oufctickets.co.uk and in person or by telephone from the Oxford United ticket office: 01865 337533.

London Road Club
The London Road Club coaches will be running for this game, providing transport to and from the game.

The coaches will leave the stadium at 4pm. (Please note that the coaches will not be picking up at the Ice Rink due to the ongoing roadworks at Hinksey Hill and Kennington.)

Coach prices:
Adult member £14
Adult non-member £16
Under-18 member £12**
Under-18 non-member £14**

**UNDER 14’s MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A RESPONSIBLE ADULT ON LRC COACHES

Call 01865 337533 or call in at the ticket office during normal office hours to book your coach place.

COVERAGE
If you can't be with us then log on to Yellow Player, where we have commentary of the whole game live, plus video interviews with all the key men and match highlights for you to see. 
Yellow Player is the ONLY place on the internet that you can hear the game online, so don't miss out.

OUFClive will be bringing you regular updates on Twitter from 6.45pm onwards. 

BETTING
There is still plenty of time to win £5,000 for you and £250,000 for the U's to spend in the transfer window.

The Sky Bet Transfer Fund gives one fan the chance to win £250,000 for their Football League club and the winner will also receive an individual cash prize of £5,000! Just register as an Oxford fan and every £1 you bet earns one prize draw token.

there are great odds on tonight's game. A 2-2 draw after 90 minutes is on offer at 18/1, or United are at 22/1 to win 1-0, or the first half draw with United to win at the end of 90 minutes is at 18/1.

There are numerous great odds to be had for potential United goal scorers.

Junior Brown is at 16/1 to score first or last in the match, and striker Danny Hylton is at 25/1 to score a brace. Danny Rose is at 20/1 to score last or Alfie Potter is at 14/1 to be the first United goal scorer.

To take a look at all the odds and have a flutter on The U’s just click HERE

THIS SITE
www.oufc.co.uk is the perfect place to follow all the action. The official website will have: 
- Full team news 
- Stats, text commentary and line-ups throughout the match 
- Read a full match report the very second the final whistle blows 
- See a full gallery of all the key moments 
- See highlights and the manager and key players give their reactions in Yellow Player 
- SMS subscribers get all the action straight to their mobiles. 

 Or follow @OUFClive on Twitter for all the action wherever you are.