Oxford United manager Michael Appleton expects a “cup tie environment” for Saturday’s League Two clash with Stevenage at the Lamex Stadium.

United are unbeaten in five league games away from the Kassam Stadium, with two wins and three draws in that two-month spell.

The two sides drew a blank back in September and boss Appleton doesn’t think the affair will be “pretty” on Boro’s “interesting” pitch.

Appleton said: “We’re going to have different environments we’ll come up against each week and I will try to pick a side that can win, regardless of who has done well or not done well.

“Stevenage is going to be very different to Exeter.

“They lost the last game but they pushed Shrewsbury close and going into that they won five out of six games.

“They are in a decent vein of form. They’re a different team in terms of their style to Exeter so we have to be aware of that.

“It’s not going to be pretty, let’s make no bones about that.

“Their pitch looks interesting to say the least but I suppose people say that when they come to us.

“It will be almost like a cup tie environment and we have to deal with the way they play.”

Oxford are expected to give debuts to defenders Joe Skarz and Richard Brindley.

Left-back Skarz joins following his release from Championship side Rotherham United, while right-back Brindley also joins from the Millers on a loan deal lasting until the end of the season.