OXFORD United must not rise to Danny Hylton’s wind-up routine with a place at Wembley on the line against Luton Town tonight, according to Liam Sercombe.

The forward needs one more goal to reach 20 for the season and will be the Hatters’ chief threat in the Checkatrade Trophy semi-final at Kenilworth Road.

In addition to undoubted talent on the ball, Hylton can also inflict damage by making opponents lose their cool.

But Sercombe, who shared the U’s changing room with Hylton before the 28-year-old turned down a new deal to sign for Luton last summer, thinks the visitors can turn the tables on their former No 10.

He said: “We know he will play little jokes and he will wind a lot of people up.

“We saw it every day in training how horrible he is to play against.

“It can go the other way with Hylts, we can wind him up a bit.

“He’s not the brightest, is he? He won’t mind me saying that.”

Michael Appleton’s side have knocked out Southend United, Scunthorpe United and Bradford City to reach the last four, but knows facing the Sky Bet League Two side will be just as tough.

He said: “I hope the players don’t forget how hard they’ve had to work to get to this point.

“It’s important we remind them of that because they will need the same attitude, quality and application to beat a good Luton side.”

With Rob Hall (hamstring) ruled out, plus Conor McAleny, Toni Martinez and Charlie Raglan ineligible, United’s selection options are limited.

Top-scorer Kane Hemmings and midfielders John Lundstram and Ryan Ledson are due to return after being rested for Saturday’s 4-0 win at Chesterfield.

Luton also have a trio who are cup-tied, with Lawson D’Ath, Ollie Palmer and Stuart Moore featuring for other clubs earlier in the competition.

TONIGHT’S LINE-UPS

Luton Tn: from Macey, Cuthbert, Mullins, Rea, Senior, Sheehan, Smith, Ruddock, Cook, Vassell, Hylton, Marriott, Justin, Gambin, Lee, Gray, O’Donnell, King.

Oxford Utd: Eastwood, Edwards, Dunkley, Nelson, Skarz, Sercombe, Lundstram, Ledson, Johnson, Maguire, Hemmings, Graham, Rothwell, Ruffels, Ribeiro, Long, Stevens.