OXFORD United’s discipline will give them the edge when tensions run high in Sunday’s derby, says Liam Sercombe.

A feverish atmosphere is expected at the County Ground for a fixture with Swindon Town which has seen five red cards in the last five games.

The Robins finished with nine men as they imploded in September’s 2-0 defeat at the Kassam Stadium.

Sercombe knows the hosts will be talking about keeping their cool for this game specifically, but the midfielder says it is part of every pre-match team talk from U’s boss Michael Appleton.

It seems to work – since taking over in July 2014, Appleton’s side have had eight red cards, while their opponents have had 24.

Sercombe said: “If we keep our discipline we’ve got a great chance of winning.

“They may be saying the same, but the gaffer here always goes on about it.

“We’re pretty good at it and hopefully we’ll do the same on Sunday to get the three points.

“It won us a lot of games last season, with a lot of players being sent off against us.

“We have to do it right.

“It’s not about smashing people and getting sent off, you have to keep your discipline.”

Sercombe started the Swindon league fixture earlier this season and the 2-0 win in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in the last campaign.

Both were on home soil and the 26-year-old is keen to reward the 2,700 supporters who will make the trip down the A420 from Oxfordshire.

He said: “Derbies are massive for players and everyone will be buzzing for that.

“I know everyone says it a lot that we want to win for the fans, but they love these games.

“All our players will be up for it and derby games are the best to play in.

“Swindon’s supporters will be up for it and we’ve just got to take it and hopefully at the end we’re cheering for the three points we want.”

Sercombe’s role on Sunday may be as a substitute, with a knee injury during the winter allowing Ryan Ledson to impress in central midfield.

But with at least 21 games still remaining this season, the 26-year-old knows chances to get back in the starting XI will crop up.

He said: “You can’t expect to be out for two months and then come straight back into the team when it’s been doing so well.

“I understand that, I won’t start moaning that I should be playing.

“I’ve just got to wait for that chance.

“When it comes I’m pretty confident I’ll take it.”