Michael Collins expects a reminder of Oxford United’s heavy defeat at Cambridge United earlier in the season will be pinned up in the changing room to act as motivation ahead of their rematch today.

The U’s lost 5-1 at the Abbey Stadium six months ago in a game broadcast live on television.

Collins played in the game and admitted a determination to settle the score would be at the forefront of his mind at the Kassam Stadium.

“If we needed any incentive to get up for the game then looking at the away fixture would be more than enough to do that,” he said.

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“I’ve got a sneaky feeling it might be pinned up in the dressing room to remind everyone, and rightly so.

“They’re the sort of days in football as a little kid dreaming of playing you didn’t want to be on the end of a 5-1 hiding on Sky.

“You’ve got to face your family and friends.

“It’s embarrassing, that’s the best way to put it.

“You’re a professional and you take pride in your job and how do you walk through the door after taking a 5-1 hiding on Sky?

“We’ve got the opportunity to put it right and that’s what we’ll be looking to do.”

Collins is one of few United survivors from the game who are likely to start this afternoon.

And he believes if Cambridge arriving expecting to face a similar challenge to the one they faced in October, they will be in for a surprise.

He said: “Since then I think we’ve come a long way and built a real solid foundation with regards to going into the game with a different attitude.

“I’m confident we’ll avenge that defeat.”

United, six games unbeaten, go into the game without George Baldock (thigh), but head coach Michael Appleton is otherwise free to continue experimenting with selection.

Chey Dunkley will continue at centre half after playing in the 3-0 win at Tranmere Rovers a week ago.

Aidan Hawtin made his debut in the game and another young winger, Sam Humphreys, could get a chance.

Cambridge have six players ruled out through injury, including the highly-rated midfielder Ryan Donaldson (hamstring).

They will also have to make a change in goal, with Will Norris replacing Chris Dunn (wrist).

TODAY’S SQUADS

Oxford Utd: from Ashdown, Long, Dunkley, Wright, Skarz, MacDonald, Collins, Ruffels, Rose, Hylton, Roofe, Vassell, Hoban, Roberts, O’Dowda, Humphreys, Hawtin, Ashby, Whing, Mullins, Clarke.

Cambridge Utd: from Norris, Ball, Coulsen, Nelson, Dunk, Kaikai, Champion, Morrissey, G Taylor, Elliott, Slew, Bird, Simpson, Tait, B Taylor, Mendez-Laing, Akintunde, Hunt.