U's get set for the Checkatrade Trophy
Oxford United make the short trip down the A420 on Tuesday night as they take on Swindon Town in the Checkatrade Trophy. United were 4-2 winners over Exeter City in the first game of the group and a win over their nearest rivals on Tuesday would see them through to the next round before their final game against Chelsea next month.
“We were good at switching competition last year” Head Coach Michael Appleton told Yellow Player HD. “When we made changes the players, who came in did really well so we are expecting that to happen again. There is the opportunity to progress through to the next stages, the knock out rounds, if we do well, so we will target that.”
United will make one or two changes from the side that beat Bolton, with Appleton calling on those who come into the side to make his team selection harder against AFC Wimbledon on Sunday.
“There are a few players who deserve their chance on Tuesday” he said. “They are only out of the team because others have been playing well and making sure they keep their shirts, so there is definitely an opportunity for a few of the players to show they are capable of playing in the Wimbledon game.”
The U’s will be without Rob Hall and Christian Ribeiro but defender Curtis Nelson is back in training this week and could be in contention once more at the weekend
“As long as he gets a full week’s training and doesn’t suffer any reaction then we expect him to be in the squad for Sunday against Wimbledon” Michael confirmed. “He won’t be available for Tuesday but we will keep our fingers crossed for the weekend.”
See the full interview plus Alex MacDonald in the Preview Show in Yellow Player HD where we will have the whole game live.
The match is ALL TICKET for United fans and those must be bought before midday on Tuesday. Visit www.oufctickets.co.uk or call 01865 337533 to book your place.