JOEY Beauchamp can be a source of motivation for Oxford United players when they face Cambridge United, says Karl Robinson.

The U’s will pay tribute to the club legend, who died last Saturday aged 50, at tomorrow’s Sky Bet League One game at the Kassam Stadium.

The focus will be on Beauchamp on an emotional afternoon, but Robinson believes United can channel this into their performance.

The U’s head coach said: “He will be mentioned in the team talk.

“Unfortunately I don’t know where he would fit in this system, with us not playing wingers.

“I think the players understand the importance he has to this football club.

“There’s also a game to play, but this can be a motivating factor.”

Read also: Karl Robinson dedicates Crewe win to Joey Beauchamp

United are fourth in League One with 12 games of the season remaining as they aim to win promotion to the second tier, emulating Beauchamp and his teammates in 1996.

But Robinson knows the former winger’s presence will be felt far beyond the end of the campaign.

He said: “You can utilise negative news to drive success.

“It’s not just on the pitch, it’s off the pitch as well.

“We’ll certainly try to use it as a motivating factor for the whole football club moving forward, not just this team.

“I think that’s the legacy that he’ll leave.”

A minute’s applause will be held before tomorrow’s match, while United’s academy are set to pay tribute to probably the greatest player to come through the club’s youth system.

Meanwhile, the U’s will donate £1 to mental health charity Mind, chosen by the Beauchamp family, for every ticket sold in the home and away sections.

Fans’ group the Oxford Fanatics are also planning a special display to give the legend a fitting send-off.

Read also: Oxford Fanatics prepare to fly the flag for Joey Beauchamp

There will be plenty of tears, but Robinson predicts the atmosphere will be one of celebration, rather than sadness.

He said: “I think we have to, he was an entertainer.

“People get coached to play to win, Joey seemed to me a player who went out there to entertain the people who paid.

“He respected what they did, putting their money into going into watch him play.

“He got people on the edge of their seats, so I think the memory of this game will have to be positive.

“I think the reason why he’s not here will be something that is constantly spoken about and the sadness of that is something we’ll try to carry on to educate people.

“At this moment, for me, it’s a celebration of his life, but within that there’s the sadness of him not being here.”