THE looming quarter-final with Manchester City will not prove a distraction for Oxford United today, Rob Dickie has vowed.

Before Karl Robinson’s men can focus on the clash with the Premier League giants on Wednesday they visit Milton Keynes Dons bidding to keep pace with Sky Bet League One’s promotion pack.

Their hosts are desperate for points at the other end of the table, but Dickie insists nobody will be taking their eye off the ball this afternoon.

He said: “To be fair no-one has really been speaking about it (City).

“We’re all focused on the job in hand in the league.

“That’s the way we’ve been all season, whatever competition it’s been.

“No game in this league can you think the points are already yours, no chance.

“They’ve recently changed managers so you get a bit of a high when you do that.

“We’ll respect them as much as anyone else.”

United may start as favourites, but they are some way below full strength due to a full treatment room.

Robinson, who has won on his two visits to Stadium MK as an away manager, said: “They will probably look at our team and think this is the best opportunity you’ll have against Oxford United this season, but I can assure you it’s not.

“We believe in what we have in the club.”

One area the U’s have been strong of late is at the back.

They have conceded just once in the last six games and no-one in the top four tiers has kept more than their 14 clean sheets this season.

It is a source of great pride for Dickie and the centre back believes amid the injury problems the onus is on the fit players to shoulder the burden.

He said: “We feel the responsibility to step up even more and I think that’s what we’ve been doing.

“Even without players like Cam Brannagan, who is a massive player for us, we’ve managed to keep going.

“We played really well against Shrewsbury last week (which finished 0-0).

“Whoever plays at the moment we feel really confident.”

OXFORD United have been drawn away at Banbury United in the quarter-finals of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup.

Thame United host Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division side Horspath, while Oxford City will entertain Kidlington.

Clanfield 85 are at home to West Oxfordshire neighbours North Leigh.

All four ties are set to be played next month.