THE prospect of facing the league leaders should be enough to ensure Oxford United do not repeat their flat display from the weekend, according to boss Michael Appleton.

An uncharacteristically lacklustre performance allowed Bristol Rovers to win 2-0 at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.

With United having little margin for error as play-off outsiders in Sky Bet League One, they can ill afford a slump.

Hosting a Sheffield United side who look certain to win automatic promotion under Chris Wilder looks a tough assignment, but Appleton thinks it is the perfect game to inspire a response.

The head coach said: “The players are quite resolute when we’ve had a defeat and look to bounce back pretty quickly.

“The fact it’s Sheffield United is a bonus, if I’m being honest.

“It’s that type of game which is needed.

“On Saturday there just wasn’t the energy in the team that there normally is and it cost us.

“I think the fact we’re playing the best team in the league will in itself be motivation to want to try and beat them.”

Part of United’s problem against Rovers was the lack of options on the bench, with four senior players ruled out.

But Kane Hemmings, Rob Hall, Chris Maguire and Curtis Nelson trained yesterday.

The quartet will be assessed before a decision is made on whether they can feature tonight.

The Blades’ one injury doubt was James Hanson (ankle), but the striker is expected to be available.

TONIGHT’S LINE-UPS

Oxford Utd: from Eastwood, Edwards, Dunkley, Nelson, Skarz, Sercombe, Lundstram, Ledson, Johnson, McAleny, Martinez, Hemmings, Maguire, Hall, Rothwell, Ruffels, Raglan, Ribeiro, Long, Stevens.

Sheffield Utd: from Moore, O’Connell, Wright, Freeman, Lafferty, Fleck, Basham, Coutts, Duffy, Sharp, Hanson, Done, Lavery, Carruthers, O’Shea, Wilson, Ebanks-Landell, Long.