KARL Robinson will be relying heavily on Oxford United’s coaching staff as he attempts to play catch-up in preparing for tomorrow’s clash at Fratton Park.

The 37-year-old had spent the first half of this week doing his homework on Plymouth Argyle ahead of their visit to the Valley.

But Robinson’s exit at Charlton Athletic and swift arrival at United on Thursday has left him with two days to get up to speed ahead of the televised game at Kenny Jackett’s Portsmouth.

Derek Fazackerley, who had been in caretaker charge for the previous eight games, took training yesterday.

And given the time constraints, Robinson felt his arrival was unlikely to change the U’s approach tomorrow.

He said: “We don’t want to give Kenny too much (information).

“Going into the game at the weekend But I don’t think there’s many options who you can and can’t play. It is what it is.

“We have an idea of what we think is right for the game.

“I just think it’s important we steady the ship and keep things flowing as they are.

“We’ll have our true identity coming through when we start properly, but we get to the summer, win as many games as we can, finish strong and we build. That’s got to be the objective.”

And Robinson plans to put his faith in the coaching set-up for more than just this weekend.

While there is an intention to bring in two new members of staff eventually, the former Milton Keynes Dons boss was quick to stress they would not be at the expense of the existing team.

He said: “We’ll work together very closely.

“We’ll find a bond very quickly that’s right for the football club – I think Faz has done a great job.

“It’s important with me coming into the club we get to the summer and I give everybody an opportunity.

“I don’t want Karl Robinson people, I want the right people for Oxford United – that’s the most important thing.”

United will have an eye on today’s games, with six of the eight teams below them in the Sky Bet League One table in action.

But they know even if results go against them this afternoon, a victory at Portsmouth would leave a cushion over the relegation zone of at least seven points.

It is also a big game for the hosts, who have drifted five points from the play-off positions due to a winless 2018 at home.