MICHAEL Appleton admits it would be novel for Oxford United to play a full game against 11 men, after being forced to try and break down ten players in their last three matches with mixed results.

The U’s were successful in a 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers when the hosts were a man down at the Memorial Stadium, although with United’s Liam Sercombe also seeing red it became a ten-a-side match.

However, Appleton’s side were unable to break down Northampton last week when the hosts played for more than 45 minutes with a player advantage.

And it was the same story on Saturday when Portsmouth had a man sent off in the closing stages.

However, United’s head coach said it is something they work on in training.

“It’s definitely been a strange one,” Appleton admitted.

“We always do 10 v 8 in training so you have an overload whether you’re do a defending or attacking practice so yes, we are doing that.

“But it will be different to finish a match with our rivals with 11 men on the pitch.

“Having said that, we’ve won one, lost one and drawn one now, so let’s hope that pattern continues the next time we are playing against ten men.”