Oxford United boss Chris Wilder says his team are focused and ready for the Blue Square Premier play-off battle at Rushden.

And the ultimate goal of striving for promotion will drive them on.

Wilder said: “We’ve mixed it about a bit in the last few games. We’ve had to be sensible and protect players, we’ve given minutes to others that needed it, we’ve got a fully fit squad and they’re all raring to go.

“We have prepared right all through and we’re confident.”

Oxford have been given two stands at Nene Park for the semi-final first leg, so will have close to 3,000 fans out of the 6,441 capacity.

“We’ll have as many supporters at the game (as Rushden), which is a fantastic effort, and the players have got to use that,” Wilder said.

“They’ve got to be disciplined. We hope we’ll have the bounce of the ball and hopefully refereeing decisions don’t play a decisive part in both games.

“We’ll make no bones about it . . . the aim is to get out of the league, and we’ve still got a great opportunity of doing that.”

Key players James Constable, Jake Wright, Anthony Tonkin, Dannie Bulman, Simon Clist, Alfie Potter and Jack Midson all return and it may depend on how solid, or how attacking, the manager wants the team to be.

He could opt for players like experienced midfielders Chris Hargreaves and Franny Green, or the more dynamic Alfie Potter and the energetic Adam Chapman.

Mark Creighton looks set to get the nod ahead of Rhys Day at centre half, with Wright alongside.

Rushden, who like Oxford have rested and rotated players in recent games, will be without their former U’s player Michael Corcoran, who has a hamstring injury.

Ex-U’s striker Jefferson Louis is likely to have Craig Farrell and the dangerous Lee Tomlin either side of him as Diamonds boss Justin Edinburgh sticks with 4-3-3.

Rushden are likely to come out with all guns blazing, in the hope of establishing a lead for Monday’s second leg at the Kassam.

Edinburgh said: “We will play to win, although we don’t want to leave ourselves open to be picked off. Now we have two cup ties, simple as that, and I’m pretty sure it won’t be won or lost tonight.

“There is not a great deal of difference between the teams. It’s a tough one to call.”

Rushden: (from) Roberts, Osano, Stuart, Huke, Robinson, Porter, Terry, Byrne, Farrell, Louis, Tomlin, Day, Downer, O’Connor, Smith, Wolleaston.

Oxford Utd: (from) Clarke, Batt, Creighton, Wright, Tonkin, Potter, Bulman, Hargreaves, Clist, Midson, Constable, Turley, Deering, M Green, F Green, Chapman, Day, Sandwith.