MICHAEL Appleton says this afternoon’s clash at home to Bradford City will provide Oxford United with their sternest test.

The Bantams are the only unbeaten side in Sky Bet League One and sit second in the table.

With the U’s looking to bounce back from a disappointing home defeat against AFC Wimbledon, the head coach knows his side need a response.

“There are as good as side as I have seen,” he said.

“But there is no better game to have from our point of view.

“They are unbeaten, second in the league, and will be feeling really, really good about themselves and come to us on the back of a very impressive home win last week.

“It’s backs against the wall a bit for us and I quite like that thought to be fair.”

Appleton’s main decision is who replaces Joe Skarz at left back, with Josh Ruffels, Sam Long and Marvin Johnson all in the frame.

Josh Cullen is likely to come straight back into the Bradford line-up after being on international duty for Republic of Ireland Under 21s.

He could replace Phillip Morais, but the game is likely to come too soon for striker James Hanson.

TODAY’S SQUADS

Oxford Utd: from Eastwood, Edwards, Raglan, Dunkley, Ruffels, Lundstram, Rothwell, Maguire, Sercombe, MacDonald, Thomas, Hemmings, Johnson, Taylor, Crowley, Long, Nelson, Martin, T Roberts, Buchel.

Bradford City: from Doyle, Darby, Vincent, Knight-Percival, Meredith, Marshall, Law, Dieng, Cullen, B Clarke, Hiwula-Mayifuila, Morais, N Clarke, McNulty, Sattelmaier, Vuckic, McArdle, Devine, Kilgallon, Hanson.