JON Whitney has warned his Walsall team they will have to combat Oxford United’s energy when the sides meet at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow.

The Saddlers have not won in their last 15 away games in Sky Bet League One – a run which began with a goalless draw at United last December.

And Whitney knows what Walsall will have to do if they are going to end their long wait for success on the road.

He told the Express & Star: “Pep (Clotet) has got his team playing with real energy.

“I have watched them over the past few years and know what to expect.

“They are a real threat in wide areas.”

He added: “It’s a tough place to go but isn’t every away game?

“We have to concentrate on ourselves and face Oxford head on.

“We have to keep our levels high and make sure we nullify their threat – like we did to Portsmouth (a 1-1 draw last month).

“And if we do, we know we have got an attacking threat right throughout our team.

“We are dangerous all over the pitch. We will respect Oxford but we won’t over respect them because we’re confident of going there and getting a result.”

Whitney also picked out a couple of players to watch.

He said: “Joe Rothwell sits in front of the defence and is a very good player.

“I know Warren Joyce, who managed him at Manchester United, and he speaks very highly of him.

“They have also got some experience with Ryan Ledson, Curtis Nelson and Mike Williamson.”