MICHAEL Appleton has warned Oxford United’s players they will be dropped for tomorrow’s game if he suspects their focus is wandering to next week’s Checkatrade Trophy semi-final.

The U’s visit Luton Town on Wednesday, with the winners securing a trip to the Wembley final in April.

But first they will bid to keep the pressure on in the Sky Bet League One play-off race when facing Chesterfield at the Proact Stadium.

Appleton has always stressed the priority is the league, so the only mention of Wembley the head coach will find acceptable is Sunday’s EFL Cup final – between his boyhood club Manchester United and Southampton.

He said: “If I hear anyone talking about Wembley between now and Saturday, they won’t play against Chesterfield – simple as that.

“I can’t afford to have that mentality.

“The reality is we have two or three days to prepare for Luton, which is a lot of time in football.

“If I hear anyone talking about Wembley in the wrong way and they’re not talking about going this weekend to watch a proper team play then I’ll be disappointed.”

The clash at Kenilworth Road has been put back 24 hours so it can be televised on Sky Sports and Appleton views the delay positively.

He said: “I think that extra day will help.

“It will help even more if we’re going into it on the back of another away win – that would give everyone a massive boost.”