SHANDON Baptiste is detemined to make the most of his opportunity tonight after discovering he will be handed a first start for Oxford United.

Head coach Karl Robinson revealed his intention yesterday to give the 20-year-old a chance in the Carabao Cup first round tie at home to Coventry City.

United were aiming to make a loan signing in midfield this week, but Simon Eastwood’s injury meant the space has been filled by goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell.

With new signing Jamie Hanson not yet ready to play and Rob Hall being rested as he returns to full fitness, it has created an opening for Baptiste, while others from the under 23 squad are likely to be on the bench.

Robinson said: “Shandon will start. It’s important I play these young players.

“I do feel we have to strengthen in midfield, but with this loan problem we have with the goalkeeper we’re going to have to rely on (players like) Fabio (Lopes), Shandon and they now have to step up.

“Sometimes one door closes and another opens.”

Baptiste’s only competitive experience for United has come as a substitute in two Checkatrade Trophy games last season.

But he went on to enjoy a productive loan spell with Hampton & Richmond Borough, before impressing in United’s warm-up games this summer.

He said: “I thought I had a good pre-season and I’ve just been training well and trying to bide my time.

“If I’m starting (tonight) that’s even better.

“You’ve just got to show what you can do, not be scared and just play your own game.

“It’s always good to get a start, it is moving in the right direction.

“Obviously the results haven’t been the best and I hope they get a lot better.

“All I can do is show what I can do and hopefully the gaffer takes that into his decision.”

While the early notification will give Baptiste plenty of time to think about tonight’s game, the Grenada international is taking it in his stride.

He said: “I’ll sleep well with a big smile on my face and just prepare myself for the game.”

City have no injury concerns, but could bring back first-choice goalkeeper Lee Burge now he has recovered from a knee problem.

TONIGHT’S SQUADS

Oxford Utd: from Mitchell, McMahon, Nelson, Dickie, Garbutt, Brannagan, Ruffels, Baptiste, Henry, Mackie, Smith, Obika, Holmes, Whyte, Browne, Lopes, Mousinho, Raglan, Norman, Shearer.

Coventry C: from Burge, Mason, Davies, Hyam, Sterling, Doyle, Ogogo, Bayliss, Andreu, Hiwula, Bakayoko, Ponticelli, Biamou, Shiply, Kelly, Brown, Grimmer, O’Brien.