MICHAEL Appleton has urged Oxford United to “cash in” on an opportunity to build their momentum at the expense of struggling Accrington Stanley tonight (7.45).

The Lancashire hosts have lost their last five games in Sky Bet League Two and not won on their own patch since November.

By contrast, United are on a six-game unbeaten run on the road in the league and delivered arguably their best display of the season in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Luton Town.

Appleton has no intention of taking Accrington lightly, but senses a chance to continue his side’s upward curve, if they can hit the same heights as Saturday.

“It’s a massively important game for us,” he said.

“All I talked about after Saturday’s game was Accrington, believe it or not.

“When you have three games in a week they can either go for you or against you.

“We want to try and cash in on the opportunity that’s been put in front of us.

“There’s no doubt it will be a difficult game because of what’s happened to them.”

In the wake of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Plymouth Argyle, Accrington boss John Coleman raised the stakes ahead of the Crown Ground clash.

He said: “We’re going into what I firmly believe is the biggest game of my career on Tuesday – I can’t speak for the players but I know it is for me.

“If that’s putting pressure on the players so be it, but I put pressure on myself and I’m the first to take the blame.”

Appleton admitted he would have preferred Stanley to have ended their losing run in Devon, but is hoping United can use the pressure on the hosts to their advantage.

He said: “It does make them vulnerable. They are going to be the wounded animal and I’m aware of John’s comments.

“If we do our job properly and go about it in a professional manner hopefully it could be a good evening for us.”

Richard Brindley is expected to recover from the jarred knee, which forced him off against Luton, while Danny Hylton should be fit to play despite missing training yesterday with a similar problem.

Accrington have a question mark over striker James Gray’s fitness due to a groin injury, but left back Michael Liddle is likely to start after replacing Seamus Conneely at half-time on Saturday.

Accrington Stanley: from Davies, Hunt, Atkinson, Winnard, Liddle, Joyce, Barry, Mingoia, McCartan, Windass, Gornell, Maguire, Procter, Bruna, Naismith, Conneely, Buxton, Macey.

Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Brindley, Mullins, Wright, Skarz, MacDonald, Collins, Ruffels, O’Dowda, Hylton, Hoban, Roberts, Humphreys, Whing, Rose, Meades, Ashby, Dunkley, Long, Crocombe.