MICHAEL Appleton makes no apologies for shuffling his pack ahead of tonight’s Checkatrade Trophy tie at Swindon Town.

The Oxford United head coach named virtually a full-strength side when the teams met in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last season.

But it will be different this evening, with the U’s expected to name a similar team to the one which faced Exeter City in the competition five weeks ago.

Appleton said: “I knew we were having a full house this time last year and that’s not the type of thing you take lightly.

“But I’ll be amazed if any of our fans are disappointed with the side we put out.

“We’re in a better division with better teams and we have to prepare better.”

He added: “There’s no doubt there are players in the squad that need minutes.

“When I use that phrase it sounds like a negative but it’s not in the slightest.

“We have a competitive squad and at the minute there are certain players who are missing out on games just because others are playing very well.

“They deserve an opportunity to play in a competitive game, as we did last year.

“The lads who played in the games took it really seriously, hence getting to the final.”

Dan Crowley, Tyler Roberts, Josh Ruffels and Sam Long were all in the XI against the Grecians and could make their first U’s starts since then tonight.

The game comes just too soon for Curtis Nelson, who is expected to be fit for selection this weekend after a foot injury.

Swindon are also likely to make several changes.

Boss Luke Williams said: ““I think we need to make some changes because it is important to give players game time.

“Of course we want to win the game but in order to have a healthy squad for the league and cup competitions, people need to play and be involved in a real match scenario that you can’t recreate in training.”

Michael Doughty (appendicitis), Lloyd Jones (hip) and Jamie Sendles-White (knee) are all unavailable.

Swindon Tn: Henry, Thomas, Thompson, Branco, Furlong, Rodgers, Murray, Smith, Brophy, Norris, Hylton, Delfouneso, Iandolo, Obika, Evans, Goddard, Ormonde-Ottewill, Young, Vigoroux.

Oxford Utd: from Eastwood, Edwards, Long, Dunkley, Ruffels, Rothwell, Lundstram, MacDonald, Crowley, T Roberts, Taylor, Hemmings, Thomas, Maguire, Johnson, Sercombe, Martin, Skarz, Brown.