Oxford United travel to Northampton Town this evening for their opening game in this season's EFL Trophy (7pm)
United and the Cobblers are in Group F along with MK Dons and Chelsea U21s.
TEAM NEWS
United have six players away on international duty: James Beadle, Fin Stevens, Ciaron Brown, Greg Leigh, Tyler Goodrham and Sonny Perkins while striker Gatlin O'Donkor joins James Henry, Sam Long and Marcus Browne on the injured list.
"Gatlin just felt his hamstring tighten a little in the warm up on Saturday" Liam Manning told us. "He did the right thing and told us about it and we made a change to put Sonny Perkins on the bench instead. We won't take any risks but if he's not involved tonight then we hope he will be for the next league game, away at Fleetwood a week on Saturday."
With so many players unavailable there may be chances for some of United's younger players to be involved, while players who haven't featured as much as they might have liked so far this season will be invited to stake their claim for a starting place.
"That's why we have a squad with depth" Assistant Manager Chris Hogg told iFollow. "You get suspensions, injuries or absences and when that happens then players have to be ready to come in and show us what they can do. We want to win every game we play and tonight is no different."
THE OPPOSITION
Northampton Boss Jon Brady echoed Hogg's thoughts on the game and is also likely to shuffle his pack:
“We will respect the competition fully but we need to give some players a run out and we will take that opportunity on Tuesday. On the other side of that there are some players we need to protect, and that is just as important.
“Hopefully the players who play come through strongly and that will bolster the squad. It is a great opportunity for those players. We have to be mindful of what’s coming up and although we don’t have a game this weekend we want to make sure we have as many players fit and ready for Port Vale as possible and as well as wanting to win on Tuesday, the game can help us do that."
TICKETS
We have been given an initial allocation of 500 seat tickets in the Persimmons Homes Away Stand and 8 wheelchair/carer pairs.
Tickets are available on the evening and also on sale from oufctickets.co.uk, by calling 01865 337533 and in person from the Kassam Stadium Ticket Office
Prices
| Adults | £10 |
| Over 65 | £8 |
| Under 21 | £8 |
| Under 18 | £5 |
| *Under 14 | £2 |
| *Under 7 | FREE |
*Please note Under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult.
Disabled supporters can buy the age relevant price class with a personal assistant FOC (proof of carer requirement may be requested on entry)
Proof of age may be required on entry for concessionary tickets.
London Road Travel
Coaches will depart the Kassam Stadium at 4:30pm with a Kidlington Sainsbury’s Pick Up 4:45pm.
Prices
| Adult Member | £16 |
| Under 18 Member | £14 |
| Adult Non Member | £19 |
| Under 18 Non Member |
Visit oufctickets.co.uk or call 01865 337533 to book your place.
The London Road Club travel offers affordable travel to all away matches. CLICK HERE to find out more about joining.
Group F Fixtures
| Northampton Town | a | Tuesday 5th September | 7pm |
| MK Dons | H | Tuesday 19th September | 7pm |
| Chelsea U21s | H | Tuesday 7th November | 7pm* |
*Please note that if Oxford United are requested to play in the FA Cup 1st round on Sunday 5th November for broadcast purposes the clubs have agreed that this fixture can be moved to Wednesday 8th November, kick-off 7pm.
THE MATCH
There is no extra time tonight but if the game ends in a draw after 90 minutes both teams get one point but penalty kicks will be taken. The winning team get a bonus point.
iFollow
If you can't be at the game then Match Passes are available to see the whole game in iFollow. JUST CLICK HERE
Follow the game on @OUFCOfficial on twitter and we will have a full report and gallery right here on the final whistle.