OXFORD United cannot become distracted by Chris Maguire as they attempt to stop Sunderland today, according to Josh Ruffels.

The U’s make their first trip to Wearside in 20 years this afternoon looking to spring a surprise on the unbeaten promotion favourites.

Their line-up includes Maguire, who has scored twice since moved to the north east in the summer.

The Scot was a big favourite during a two-and-a-half year spell with United, but came back to haunt them last season with a virtuoso display in a 3-0 defeat at Bury.

But Ruffels believes it would be a mistake to concentrate on Maguire today.

He said: “I’m sure Mags will try to disrupt us, but if we can keep him quiet it should be alright.

“We all know what he’s like, he’s going to try his hardest to wind us up.

“He’s managed to get a great move and has started well by the looks of it. Hopefully he doesn’t play well on Saturday.

“He’s obviously got ability, but we play against that every week. I’m not going to big it up or anything, he’s just another player.

“The fans loved him here and he was great for us, but our focus isn’t on him, it will be on their whole team and we need to be prepared.”

The U’s travelled north yesterday boosted by back-to-back victories.

On Tuesday they were 2-0 up in four minutes at Newport County, but Ruffels admitted the priority in the early stages this afternoon will be on taking the sting out of the bumper home crowd at the Stadium of Light.

He said: “In a huge stadium like that you want to go there and play well. You’ve got to use it to your advantage. You need to stop them playing because they will come flying out the traps.

“You’ve got to quieten the crowd and try to stop them in the first half.

“If you do, it can turn the other way and put the pressure on them.”

United are set to welcome back attacking trio Marcus Browne, Ricky Holmes, Jamie Mackie, plus skipper Curtis Nelson, who were all rested in midweek.

Glenn Loovens and Adam Matthews are doubts for Sunderland, while Aiden McGeady, Duncan Whatmore and Charlie Wyke are still out.

TODAY’S LINE-UPS

Sunderland: from McLaughlan, Baldwin, James, Love, Cattermole, Maguire, Honeyman, Gooch, Power, Maja, Mumba, O’Nien, Loovens, McGeouch, Ozturk, Oviedo, Matthews, Ruiter.

Oxford U: from Mitchell, Norman, Nelson, Mousinho, Garbutt, Brannagan, Ruffels, Whyte, Henry, Holmes, Smith, Obika, Mackie, Lopes, Baptiste, Dickie, McMahon, Shearer.