Oxford United head for Burton Albion on Wednesday night in the First Round of the Carabao Cup (7.45pm)
“The approach is the same as always: we go to try and win” boss Karl Robinson told iFollow today. “We know we are playing an incredibly well coached side who since Christmas last year are the number one form team in our division. So we will have to be at our best. Their Manager is one of the top men in the game and I can’t speak highly enough of how his teams fight for each other. So it’s a game we’re looking forward to and I expect the two teams to go toe-to-toe with each other.
“For us there are players who need minutes. John Mousinho is out, Sam Long has had a little niggle and is out, Michael Elechi is out, Elliott Moore is struggling with a chest infection and we have two young centre halves, Clint Nosakhare and James Golding also unavailable. We do have Nathan Holland back although for 30 minutes maximum because he needs to be eased into it.
“We will do the right things for our players and people have to respect the decisions we make. It’s not just injuries any more it’s covid and self isolating too and the various effects the virus can have. But we will have the right processes in place at all times, we know that.
“For me personally it’s good to be back on the touchline after missing out on Saturday. We played Burton at the end of last season and I was able to communicate from the stand, but it got harder as fans came back. I hated not being in the dugout on Saturday but the connection with the fans was clear: there is a real sense of togetherness and I was the one most disconnected from that, which was tough.
“The reason I was there, protecting my players, is always going to be a part of me but I can’t wait to get back on Wednesday and then for the home game against Charlton with a big crowd there and everyone back together again which is going to be very special for our football club.”
Join that special occasion when the U’s take on Charlton at the Kassam Stadium this weekend. Tickets are available HERE