JOSH Ruffels admits the stakes could hardly be higher for Oxford United when they host Plymouth Argyle tomorrow.

The clash is a meeting of Sky Bet League One’s bottom two, with the Pilgrims leapfrogging the U’s last weekend courtesy of their first three-point haul of the campaign.

Karl Robinson’s men are on a seven-game winless run in the division – and a defeat at the Kassam Stadium would see them cut four points adrift at the bottom.

Ruffels returned to the starting line-up for a hard-fought goalless draw at Roots Hall a week ago, before sitting out the midweek Checkatrade Trophy defeat to Northampton Town.

And the 24-year-old is well aware of the Argyle game’s significance.

He said: “It’s massive, the biggest of the season by far and it’s a must-win. It’s come down to that at the moment.

“We’ve had really poor results and I think Southend was something we were trying to build on, but Tuesday tarnished it a little bit.

“We haven’t got time to drop our heads.”

Ruffels played the last time United were involved in a bottom-two clash, against Tranmere Rovers four years ago.

On that occasion, Michael Appleton’s side won 2-0 as they began to climb away from trouble.

Ruffels said: “Big wins at home at times like this can ignite you.

“If we can get that win and try to build some kind of momentum then hopefully we can get out of it. We have enough time to do it.”

He added: “With the experienced players we’ve got we have to stand up and be counted.

“We’ve been there before. We just have to get on with it and fight.”

According to Ruffels, who will have a minor groin strain assessed today, the one thing United can still rely on is the unity among the players.

“I think we’ve got a good team spirit and the morale has always been that way,” he said.

“We have to keep it that way, because if that changes it is worrying.

“On the pitch it has to be a lot different and we have to improve.

“There’s a lot of hard work that has to be done.”