OXFORD United are considering whether to recall Jack Stevens from Oxford City next week to cover Benji Buchel’s international call-up.
United’s back-up goalkeeper is due to miss games against Exeter City and Rochdale next week on duty with Liechtenstein.
They play a friendly against Denmark in Horsens a day later, before opening their World Cup qualifying campaign away to Spain in Leon on September 5.
It leaves Simon Eastwood with no deputy, but Stevens, who is at City on a youth loan, could be recalled.
Appleton is aware such a move would affect the player and City, so it is not a simple decision.
He said: “We could do and we’re weighing that up at the minute, but we’re mindful that we don’t want to disrupt the arrangement.
“We will come up with the best case scenario for Jack, Oxford City and Oxford United.”
United will also be without Tyler Roberts and new signing Ryan Ledson for the Dale game at the Kassam Stadium on September 3.
The pair have been called up by Wales Under 19s and England Under 20s respectively.
Clubs who have three players on international duty can postpone league games, but it is not an option for the U’s as it only covers those in senior and under 21 sides.
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