MICHAEL Appleton will pit his wits against Russ Wilcox tomorrow, with the Oxford United head coach still staggered that his opposite number is back in Sky Bet League Two.

Wilcox took over as manager of Scunthorpe United last season, with the club languishing mid-table.

He then led the Iron on a 28-game unbeaten run, his first defeat coming in the penultimate game of the season at Exeter City.

Scunthorpe secured promotion, but struggled in the early part of this season and Wilcox was surprisingly sacked after 11 games, with his side having collected only seven points.

Latest United news:

Appleton appreciates that life as a manager is cut-throat, but believes the decision to get rid of him was a strange one.

“Since Russ has gone in, there has been a lift in their spirits and performances,” United’s head coach said.

“They have certainly got an energy about them which I am not sure they had before and there’s a couple of lively players we need to be aware of.

“I was gobsmacked when he left Scunthorpe. I don’t think it’s right, but that’s my opinion.

“I think Russ did a fantastic job the previous season. He’s a good man and took the opportunity to be a No 1 with both hands.

“He then gets rewarded for an unbeaten run, that I would be surprised if it gets beaten for quite some time, and then that (his sacking) happens.

“I don’t know the ins and outs of whether it was just results-based or whatever, but I was very surprised.

“He will be telling his team that they need to make sure they are ahead of Oxford at the end of the game on Saturday, but mine will be to make sure we have moved further clear of them.”

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.