MICHAEL Appleton says Oxford United must prepare to be patient if they are going to prise apart Plymouth Argyle’s back line this afternoon.

The Pilgrims’ defence has been breached just 26 times in 35 games this season, the joint-best in Sky Bet League Two.

United have not been freescoring, either, and Appleton is predicting a tight game where the hosts will have to work hard for their chances.

He said: “They have a (back) three when they’re attacking, but very quickly they become a five out of possession, which makes it very difficult to get in behind them.

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“We’re going to have to keep our discipline, be patient and switch the play a lot until hopefully one of them switches off.”

United have no injury worries, but will have to make a change, with Danny Hylton beginning a two-game ban.

There are several options to fill his shoes, with the most likely being Kemar Roofe moving from a wide role and Callum O’Dowda returning.

Plymouth have Olly Lee available after suspension, but are likely to be unchanged after beating Northampton Town 2-0 last time out.

TODAY’S SQUADS

Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Baldock, Mullins, Wright, Skarz, MacDonald, Collins, Ruffels, O’Dowda, Roofe, Hoban, Roberts, Gnanduillet, Rasulo, Ashby, Rose, Dunkley, Long, Ashdown.

Plymouth: McCormick, Nelson, McHugh, Hartley, Mellor, B Reid, O’Connor, Talbot, Holmes-Dennis, R Reid, Alessandra, Lee, Brunt, Harvey, Blizzard, Banton, Purrington, Bittner.