JOE Rothwell hopes the Emirates FA Cup will offer him an opportunity to get back into Oxford United’s starting line-up.

The midfielder has impressed this season, with four goals already doubling his tally from the last campaign.

But Rothwell’s bookings have also increased and a fifth caution saw him serve a one-game suspension.

In his absence Alex Mowatt has been brought into the side, leaving Rothwell as a substitute for the last two matches.

While Clotet is expected to resist making wholesale changes for the first round tie at Port Vale tonight, there would be no surprise if Rothwell was handed a start He said: “I missed out through suspension – I don’t think I’d got five yellow cards (before this season) in my career.

“Some of them were a bit silly, but hopefully I can get my chance again to cement my place back in the team.

“We’ve always said there’s plenty of competition this year for every place, so any slip-up, injury or suspension, someone will be there to take your place.

“Unfortunately it’s happened to me, but I just need to keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully get back in the team.”

Rothwell’s first senior goal came for United in the competition last season, during a 3-0 second round replay victory against Macclesfield Town.

It set up the side’s run to the last-16, but Rothwell has not forgotten the struggles early on.

He said: “Many people thought we would just turn them over, but I think we were quite lucky to come out of the game with a draw.

“We played against Port Vale last season and had a tricky couple of games.

“Going there on a Friday night when the weather might not be the best and the pitch is massive.

“We’ll have to see what happens during the game, but hopefully we’ll get a positive result.

“Going into the first round you always say you want to get your name in the hat for the third round because that’s when the big teams come in.

“That’ll be no different for us this year, our objective will be to get to the third round and hopefully get a nice tie.”