MICHAEL Appleton wants Oxford United to live up to their status as a scalp for teams in Sky Bet League Two by winning games at the Kassam Stadium.

The U’s host Notts County tonight looking for a first league victory of the season, following draws on the opening day at home to Crawley Town and at Luton Town on Saturday.

Appleton’s side are fancied to be promotion contenders, so many visitors to the Kassam are expected to come, like Crawley, with the intention of thwarting the U's.

The head coach urged his players to embrace the situation and show why they are backed to do well.

He said: “I think people will see us as a scalp and that’s why at times it might be more difficult because they might put players behind the ball.

“We’ve got to prove we are a scalp, there’s no point people talking about us on a piece of paper.

“We’ve got to make sure they’re coming off the field saying ‘they’re going to be in and around it come the end of the season’.”

Appleton has named the same XI in all three games so far, but the performances of subs Patrick Hoban and Callum O’Dowda on Saturday could change his mind.

The U's boss also hinted new signing John Lundstram may be named in the squad.

Notts County have former Belgium international right back Gill Swerts is available for County after suspension, but Mawouna Amevor is banned, while Ronan Murray (pelvis), Taylor McKenzie and Rob Milsom (both knee) are out injured.

Oxford Utd: from Slocombe, Baldock, Mullins, Wright, Skarz, Roofe, Sercombe, Rose, MacDonald, Hylton, Taylor, Hoban, O’Dowda, Lundstram, Ruffels, Ashby, Long, Dunkley, Crocombe.

Notts Co: from Carroll, Swerts, Bennett, Audel, Adams, Aborah, Thompson, Noble, Jenner, Stead, De Silva, Hollis, Sharpe, Spencer, Snijders, Campbell, Burke, Loach, Swerts.