MICHAEL Appleton has challenged Oxford United to hit one final target on Sunday – finish the season as the top promoted side in Sky Bet League One.

With 90 minutes of the campaign remaining they are assured of finishing above Northampton Town and AFC Wimbledon, but only lead Bristol Rovers, who host sixth-placed Millwall, on goal difference.

While the U’s would have loved to be facing Shrewsbury Town in the finale with a chance of reaching the play-offs, a top-ten finish remains a creditable achievement.

And a win would see them reach a goal Appleton set the squad over the festive period, when they were the lowest of the four sides who came up from League Two.

The United head coach said: “When we got to the halfway point we addressed where we were and things we could improve.

“We sat down and said ‘right, let’s try to finish the highest from the teams which have been promoted’.

“That was the plan after 23 games. We’re hoping to finish that off on Sunday.

“The way the season has panned out there’s no doubt it’s been a successful one and we’re progressing all the time.

“We’re guaranteed to finish in the top ten and we could potentially finish seventh.”

A late winner for Port Vale at Walsall on Tuesday night means Shrewsbury’s third tier status is not yet guaranteed.

While it would take a freak combination of results to relegate Paul Hurst’s side, who won the reverse fixture 2-0 in November, Appleton thinks it will impact the way the visitors approach the game.

He said: “I would be quite surprised if they came to play – I would be delighted if they are.

“Unless there’s a massive goal rush in both games they will be in League One next year and I fully expect them to be there.

“But they will probably have a slightly more cautious approach knowing the situation.”