MICHAEL Appleton has urged his Oxford United players to grab their last chance to claim a place in the starting line-up at Wembley.

Bury visit the Kassam Stadium in Sky Bet League One, after which the U’s will turn their focus to Sunday’s Checkatrade Trophy final.

And a strong performance tonight could make all the difference when Appleton works out the team to face Coventry City.

The U’s head coach said: “They have an opportunity one or two of them to force their way into the side at Wembley.

“This is the last chance because there’s four or five days after Bury for me to ponder which team I go with.”

He added: "This is the most important game, because it’s the next one.

"It’s a bit of a cliché, but if we pick three points going into the final on Sunday the feelgood factor will be excellent, regardless of what’s happened over the last two or three weeks. "

Chey Dunkley (hamstring) and Chris Maguire (groin) are rated as 50/50 to play, while Josh Ruffels will be assessed after cramp forced him off in Saturday’s goalless draw at Northampton Town.

Bury’s 21-goal striker James Vaughan is expected to recover from a tight hamstring and start the game.

Their lengthy injury list includes key midfielder Danny Mayor and former U's loanee Zeli Ismail.

TONIGHT’S LINE-UPS

Oxford Utd: from Eastwood, Edwards. Nelson, Dunkley, Skarz, Sercombe, Lundstram, Ruffels, Hall, McAleny, Martinez, Hemmings, Maguire, Johnson, Rothwell, Raglan, Ribeiro, Long, Stevens.

Bury: from Murphy, Leigh, Kay, Bryan, Barnett, Moore, Caddis, Mellis, Styles, Pope, Vaughan, Lowe, Miller, Hope, Pennant, Burgess, Beadling, Lainton.