MICHAEL Appleton says he has noticed the intensity of Oxford United’s training sessions has increased due to the competition for places in the squad.

Dan Crowley and Aaron Martin missed out on being named on the bench on Saturday and the U’s boss will have similar decisions to make for the trip to Southend United tonight.

Appleton has been pleased to see the battle for places filter down into their work during the week.

He said: “A few challenges are flying in, which is good – all healthy ones, nothing reckless.

“I think if you’re going to be successful you need a group who are always training on the brink.”

Fit-again striker Wes Thomas is expected to travel.

Jason Demetriou, sent off in Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Northampton, is suspended for the hosts, while Michael Timlin (hamstring) and Nile Ranger (ankle) are also missing.

Southend Utd: Oxley, White, Barrett, Inniss, Coker, McGlashan, Leonard, Wordsworth, McLaughlin, Mooney, Cox, Atkinson, King, Ferdinand, O’Neill, Thompson, Bridge, Smith.

Oxford Utd: Eastwood, Edwards, Dunkley, Raglan, Skarz, Rothwell, Lundstram, Maguire, Sercombe, Johnson, Hemmings, Thomas, Taylor, Crowley, T Roberts, MacDonald, Ledson, Ruffels, Long, Martin, Buchel.