TONIGHT’S clash with Southend United is ‘ten times’ more important for Oxford United than this weekend’s Emirates FA Cup tie, according to head coach Michael Appleton.

The U’s visit Premier League side Middlesbrough, but any player caught thinking about the fifth round tie will be given short shrift.

Appleton’s focus is firmly on keeping United climbing up Sky Bet League One.

He said: “I don’t want to sound too controversial, but it’s ten times more important to me.

“If they’ve got it in their mind too much they won’t be playing in the following game.

“If they were saving themselves for the Middlesbrough game I’d be aware of it and they won’t play.”

The games are coming thick and fast, but given United’s form it is just what Marvin Johnson wants.

He said: “That’s the good thing about our schedule now, you only have to wait a couple of days to play again.

“When we’re playing as well as we are, it gives you confidence.

“We’ve just got to keep going and the fact the next game is Tuesday is perfect for us.”

United’s only injury doubt is Joe Skarz, who missed training yesterday due to an illness.

Will Atkinson will travel as Southend await the result of an appeal into his red card in Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Millwall.

Goalkeeper Mark Oxley (elbow) and Stephen McLaughlin (ankle) will definitely miss out, but Nile Ranger could return for the first time after being suspended by the club for a serious breach of discipline.

TONIGHT’S LINE-UPS

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

Southend Utd: Smith, Demetriou, Ferdinand, Thompson, Coker, McGlashan, Leonard, Wordsworth, Timlin, Cox, Robinson, Fortune, Ranger, Atkinson, Nouble, Amos, Inniss, White, Bexon.