MICHAEL Appleton says his priority tonight is purely on seeing a good performance from Oxford United and will avoid talk of making the play-offs even if they beat Bolton Wanderers.

Victory against the Trotters would take the U’s into a season-high eighth place in Sky Bet League One and could see them just two points off the top-six.

But after watching his side fail to take similar opportunities several times this season, the head coach’s focus is more on their display.

He said: “Far too many times this year everyone’s got too excited.

“It will just be about trying to win a game against a top side. Wherever we end up after that then fantastic.

“The three points are valuable for both sides, but if we get them there won’t be massive talk about the play-offs.”

Appleton made five changes for Saturday’s 2-1 win against Scunthorpe United.

He has the option of recalling the likes of Rob Hall, Marvin Johnson and Chris Maguire, but is expecting a similar style of game to the weekend.

Appleton said: “It won’t be a pretty one.

“A performance means we compete and are still in the game after 70 or 80 minutes and then hopefully we’ve got the quality to open them up.”

Bolton have no new injury concerns, with Lewis Buxton, Mark Davies and Lawrie Wilson long-term absentees.

TONIGHT’S LINE-UPS

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

Bolton Wand: Alnwick, Dervite, Wheater, Beevers, Morais, Vela, Pratley, Spearing, Taylor, Le Fondre, Madine, Clayton, Long, Derik, Henry, Karacan, Moxey, Howard.