Adam Chapman says Oxford United must be prepared for a physical battle as Fleetwood Town make their first visit to the Kassam Stadium tonight.

The sides only met in Lancashire 17 days ago, so the 3-0 npower League Two defeat is still fresh in the minds of United’s players.

Although the venue has changed, Chapman, who play-ed the second half at Highbury, is expecting a similar encounter.

The midfielder said: “It was a really high intensity half and then it opened up a bit in the second half and both teams could play a little.

“I’m thinking it will be probably the same again.

“We’ve got to be ready for that physical battle in the first half and then hopefully wait for the second half and play some nice football, like we did on Saturday.”

United are in need of a positive result after the gap to the play-offs stretched to eight points following a 2-0 defeat by Bristol Rovers last weekend.

Chapman knows an upturn in results is needed sooner rather than later, but the 23-year-old insists no-one is panicking yet.

He said: “There are 16 games left, so there are plenty there to put a run together.

“Don’t get me wrong, we’re not sitting there thinking we’ve got all the time in the world, we know we need to get going quickly, but there’s not that desperation yet.

“If we had performed like we did at Fleetwood for the next two or three games we would have been very worried, but we feel the performances are there.

“You’re not going to get promoted off performances, but we’re confident it’s coming, and it’s just a matter of finishing games off.”