Ryan Burge believes Oxford United still have plenty to play for as they make their first visit to Accrington Stanley today.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who is on loan from Doncaster, hasn’t ruled out the U’s making the npower League Two play-offs – despite Chris Wilder’s side being seven points off seventh spot with just five games left.

“The season’s definitely not over yet,” he said.

“It was disappointing that we let slip that two-goal lead against Wycombe after dominating large parts of the game.

“But this is a big game and we have to concentrate on getting a win, just as we did against Crewe and Burton. If we play like that, I’m sure we will.

“In nearly all the games left, the opponents have something to play for, so it’s going to be difficult. We’ve just got to play the way we can.”

Striker Tom Craddock also says the U’s will not be throwing in the towel.

“Until that final play-off place is out of reach, we’re not going to give it up,” he said.

“We’re going into each game trying to win. As it goes in football, you never know what’s going to happen. A team can be going well then all of a sudden they could have a few bad results.

“If we can just look after ourselves and try to put a run together towards the end of the season, you never know.”

Meaawhile, Wilder says it’s no surprise to him that Accrington boss John Coleman has been so successful – because he’s been given time.

Coleman has been in the post for 12 years, and is the third longest-serving manager in the top four divisions after Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.

And in each of his last ten seasons in charge, Accrington have bettered their league position from the previous season, to the extent where they are now chasing a play-off place.

Wilder believes the time he has been allowed to do the job is a major factor in the club’s year-on-year improvement.

“I think it shows, when managers do get that opportunity to build something, as he has done, that they can keep improving,” he said.

“We have improved for two or three years, they’ve improved for six or seven years, have come into the League and kept improving.”

French defender Jimmy Sangare will make his first start for United, replacing the suspended Harry Worley.

Simon Clist and Simon Hackney did not travel because of injury.

Accrington Stanley: (from) Stanley: Cisak, Winnard, Edwards, Hessey, Jacobson, Procter, Joyce, Ryan, Craney, McConville, Gornell, Long, Dunbavin, Barnett, Lindfield, Putterill, Murphy, Boulding.

Oxford Utd: (from) Clarke, Batt, Sangare, Wright, Tonkin, Heslop, McLaren, Burge, Potter, Constable, Craddock, Hall, Doble, Eastwood, Purkiss, MacLean, Payne, Hanson, Kinniburgh.