Michael Appleton says Oxford United will need to be intelligent if they are to keep heavyweight striker Adebayo Akinfenwa quiet for AFC Wimbledon today.

United have won all eight past meetings with the Dons, but the Londoners go into the game four points and four places above their opponents in Sky Bet League Two.

The visitors’ biggest threat comes in a little and large strike partnership between summer signings Matt Tubbs and Akinfenwa, which has contributed 19 goals already this season.

Appleton is wary of both players, but the United defenders will be particularly briefed on how to deal with the dangerous Akinfenwa, whose bulky frame poses an unusual challenge.

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The United head coach said: “You have to respect his strengths and make sure they are only utilised to the minimum.

“In a nutshell: make him play the way he’s facing.

“Don’t try and outmuscle him, don’t try and be brave by having a fight and a scrap with him – he’ll win because he’s bigger and stronger.

“You have to try and stop the ball getting into him first and foremost, but when it does, make sure he can’t turn and bring people into play behind you. Make sure everything is in front of you.”

Both sides go into the game at the Kassam Stadium on the back of two successive wins.

Neither was won three games in a row all season, so the clash offers the chance to gain some much-needed consistency.

Appleton said: “We’ve won a couple, lost a couple, won a couple. It depends on if your glass is half full or half empty, but we were a minute away from getting a point at Carlisle and a spot-kick from drawing with Wycombe and we could be here six games unbeaten with four wins.

“That’s the fine lines, I’m not daft and I know it’s not always good or bad, sometimes there’s a grey area, but we want to go and win our third game on the trot.”

Neither of United’s new signings are due to start.

Irish striker Patrick Hoban is ineligible until January, while defender Chey Dunkley is set for a place on the bench after Jake Wright and Johnny Mullins played key roles in wins at Grimsby Town and York City.

Brian Howard is the only new injury concern.

The midfielder broke his hand earlier this week, but is available to play, thanks to a special cast.

Former United winger Sean Rigg will miss the game for Wimbledon due to suspension.

Today's teams

Oxford Utd: from Clarke, Riley, Mullins, Wright, Holmes-Dennis, Hylton, Whing, Rose, Potter, Howard, Roberts, Barnett, O’Dowda, Collins, Ruffels, Meades, Raynes, Dunkley, Crocombe.
AFC Wimbledon: from Shea, Fuller, Barrett, Bennett, Smith, Francomb, Sutherland, Bulman, Moore, Tubbs, Akinfenwa, Oakley, Azeez, Beere, Nicholson, Kennedy, Frampton, McDonell.

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