Lads ready for fresh Checkatrade challenge

Our Development Squad are all set to take on Oxford United tonight (Tuesday 18 December, 7.45pm) at the Kassam Stadium, as we make our debut in the knockout stages of the Checkatrade Trophy.

After just missing out on progression in our inaugural campaign last year, Wayne Burnett’s side have gone one better this year, reaching the second round for the first time.

The U’s topped a very tight Group F en route to the knockout stages with three teams out of the four all finishing on six points. It was then down to goal difference to decide who would progress and after having found the back of the net seven times and conceded just twice in their three games, United had done enough to win the group.

In League One, however, Oxford have struggled so far this season as they sit three places above the relegation zone, having registered six wins from their 22 games.

Development Squad coach Wayne knows the EFL outfit will provide a tough test as well as ‘different challenges’ for our young team, who go into the game off the back of an excellent 2-1 win at Manchester City at the weekend.

“We’ve managed to get to the next round of the competition which is good progress for the team,” Wayne explained. “I’m looking forward to the game. I know it will be a very tough one as they will be eager to progress to the next round, just like we are, but hopefully we can succeed in doing so.

“It’s a different challenge compared to the tests of the Premier League 2. These games are invaluable to us with the different types of challenges they create.

“Playing against teams that play week in, week out in the Football League is so important. We have to find a way to overcome the challenges that we will face tonight but so far in the competition, we’ve done that.”