MICHAEL Appleton has ruled out changing Oxford United’s formation during the run-in as a way to overcome the lack of left backs in the squad.

Jordan Evans will miss the rest of the campaign after scans confirmed he had cracked a rib in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Newport County, sidelining him for six weeks.

The Fulham loanee was only in the side due to Joe Skarz’s groin injury, leaving the U’s without a specialist left back for the final three games, which start at home to Hartlepool United tomorrow.

They do have three fit centre backs, but Appleton, who said youngster Freddie Grant will not be recalled from his loan at Farnborough, thinks it is too risky to abandon the back four system which he has used for more than a year.

He commented: “It’s very dangerous to start doing that with three games to go, not having done it since about January last year.

“We played Southend at home and lost because we were all over the place.

“It becomes square pegs in round holes just because we haven’t done it or worked on it.”

Jordan Bowery is likely to miss out with a minor groin injury, but United are hopeful Kemar Roofe and John Lundstram will shake off ankle problems to train today.