SIMON Eastwood is expecting a strange atmosphere at the Kassam Stadium tonight as Oxford United begin their Checkatrade Trophy campaign against Exeter City.

The rebranded competition, formerly the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, controversially includes sides from clubs with Category One academies.

It has led many to consider boycotting the games, which could see tonight’s attendance rival United’s lowest home gate – 1,055 for a ZDS Trophy game against Portsmouth in 1990.

Eastwood acknowledged it would give the game an unfamiliar feel.

He said: “Sometimes you can class it as quite hard because it can be like playing a reserve match when there aren’t many people there.

“It might be a bit different, but it’s just something you want to get on with.”

U’s boss Michael Appleton will use the game to have a look at players who have been on the fringes so far.

Tyler Roberts, whose first start came in the 4-2 defeat to Brighton last week, is set to play.

He said: “I was disappointed with myself against Brighton, I don’t think I showed what I can do.

“I don’t know if that was due to my fitness, I did feel tired during the game.

“Hopefully if I get a chance to start in this game I can express myself and show I want to get in this team even more.”

Ryan Ledson and Benji Buchel would have been in line to play, but are away on international duty with England Under 20s and Liechtenstein respectively.

Joe Skarz will also miss out with a thigh strain.

Exeter, second bottom in Sky Bet League Two, have seven players missing through injury.

Boss Paul Tisdale said: “It’s the last thing I need, a game (on) Tuesday.

“We just can’t cope with these two games a week and we’re literally losing a player a game at the moment.”

TONIGHT’S SQUADS

Oxford Utd: Eastwood, Long, Dunkley, Martin, Ruffels, T Roberts, Rothwell, Crowley, Giles, Taylor, J Roberts, Hemmings, Thomas, Maguire, MacDonald, Sercombe, Lundstram, Edwards, Welch-Hayes.

Exeter City: Olejnik, Grant, Sweeney, Brown, James, Harley, Riley-Lowe, Taylor, Ampadu, Watkins, McAlinden, Jay, Simpson, Byrne, Oakley, Egan, Pym.