OXFORD United will send a young side to face Eastleigh tonight (7.45) as their senior players change gear in pre-season.

After five warm-up games in a week, their focus will be on working at the training ground to begin looking at more detailed game plans for the season.

Head coach Karl Robinson said: “The (first team players) are going to have a training week, so it will be a very young team going to Eastleigh.

“Now we can train properly Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday leading into the games.”

One of those likely to play tonight is Kevin Berkoe.

The 18-year-old switched from Wolverhampton Wanderers’ youth side in May and the workload in pre-season has been an eye-opener for the full back.

He said: “It’s been good for us and good for me as well to get fit and just settle in with your team.

“I played Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday and I think I did well.

“I’ve never experienced that before and it’s very tough for me.

“The intensity of the game is very high, so you have to be on it even when you’re feeling fatigued.

“I’m playing men’s football now. It’s more physical, more demanding and there’s more requirements as well.

“Mentally as well you have to be on it.

“You can’t be late for meetings or training or the gaffer will be on you.”

  • FORMER U’s coach Des Buckingham has guided New Zealand’s under 23 side into the final of the Pacific Games.

A 2-0 win over Papua New Guinea in their last group match sent them through to contest a gold medal in Samoa on Saturday.