MICHAEL Appleton has warned Oxford United’s players not to treat tomorrow’s televised game at Cambridge United like an X Factor audition.

The clash at the Abbey Stadium has been moved to a 12.15pm kick-off so it can be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

It is a rare opportunity for both sides to gain exposure on a national level.

Appleton acknowledged it gave the fixture an extra edge, but is determined it does not distract players from the team’s game plan.

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He said: “We’ve had a lot of plaudits for the way we’ve played and rightly so, because we’ve played some really good stuff.

“We’ll continue to do that, but for me the most important thing is I don’t want the players to turn up and think it’s like the X Factor show and it’s a chance to show off my talents’.

“It’s not about that, it’s about getting three points.

“What you’ve got to be careful of is that the players don’t think ‘the cameras are here so I’ll try to put a show on’.

“I don’t want that. Individuals will have responsibilities, but ultimately we just want to go there and try to do a professional job on them.

“Individuals will shine on the day, but as long as the foremost thing in their mind is we’re a team and we’ve come to do a job on Cambridge.”

One player who certainly subscribes to Appleton’s approach is centre back Michael Raynes, who insists the cameras will not see him change.

He said: “Not at all, I’ll just get a bit more stick from my mates saying high definition does me no favours.

“That’s the only difference rea- lly.”

Both sides go into the game on the back of wins.

While the U’s had to dig in with ten men to beat Newport County 1-0, Cambridge pulled off their best result since winning promotion back to the Football League in May, winning 3-1 at high-flying Burton.

Appleton said: “They deserved it. They did a very good job on Burton, who were unbeaten at home.

“It wasn’t an easy thing to do.

“They’re a decent side and coming out of the Conference they’ve adapted to the league pretty well.”

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