CAMERON Brannagan says Oxford United’s players are only concerned about ending their miserable run today – not impressing a potential new manager.

The U’s head to Northampton Town this afternoon, bidding to end a run of three straight Sky Bet League One defeats.

The fixture comes less than 48 hours after Thai businessman Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth completed his takeover of the club, saying the appointment of a new head coach would be his priority.

Caretaker boss Derek Fazackerley remains in charge at Sixfields this afternoon, but rumours are still circulating about the identity of Pep Clotet’s successor.

United were given formal permission by Cardiff City on Wednesday to speak to Craig Bellamy about the role and he remains the 1-10 favourite with bookmakers.

But Brannagan says United’s players would not be distracted from the task in hand.

The 21-year-old said: “I don’t think the lads are thinking about a manager, they are more focused on the game and getting three points.

“If there’s somebody watching, then there’s somebody watching. I don’t think it’s about that.

“The main priority is getting these three points, everything else around us is just irrelevant.”

United head into the match just five points above the relegation zone and face a Northampton side who sit four places below them in the table.

Brannagan, who has recovered from an ankle injury and is in line to make his long-awaited debut after signing for the club six weeks ago, is under no illusions of the importance of beating the Cobblers.

He said: “It’s a must-win. If it doesn’t go our way, we’ve got to work hard again and dig this bad root that we’ve got at the minute out of us.

“And we will do that because everybody is really working their hardest.”