CRAIG Hignett expects Oxford United to have met their match tomorrow if his Hartlepool United click into gear.

The County Durham side are beginning to look to next season as the former Middlesbrough midfielder eyes his first summer in charge.

Hignett has used recent games to have a good look at everyone in his squad and they have caused problems.

AFC Wimbledon, Leyton Orient and Mansfield have been beaten, while earlier this month they won 5-2 at Morecambe.

On Tuesday night they were edged out by Accrington Stanley, who went above United into second place as a result.

Hignett is relishing the visit to the Kassam Stadium and knows they have what it takes to spring a surprise.

He told the Hartlepool Mail: “I’m excited to be playing Oxford.

“We’re away from home, it’s a game no-one will expect us to do anything.

“But we can go there and cause an upset, I know we can.

“If we play like we did in the first half against Accrington, we won’t, but if we perform as we did in the second, we have every chance.”

He added: “Oxford have had a great season.

“They will play football, Michael Appleton wants to play football.

“But it’s not what other teams do that bothers me, it’s how we approach things and how we play.

“If we’re right and on it, we are a match for anyone in this league – and I mean anyone.

“To do that we need to have the right attitude and mentality.”