OXFORD United will not get carried away if they continue their unbeaten run tomorrow, says James Henry.

The U’s are nine games without defeat and have won their last five in all competitions.

The 4-0 home victory over Northampton Town on December 15 kick-started the latter run, with United travelling to the PTS Academy Stadium for the return Sky Bet League One fixture tomorrow.

Karl Robinson’s side sit 12th in the table after spending the first three months of the season in and around the relegation zone.

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United have made a habit of starting slow under the 40-year-old – they were in the bottom four with nine games left of the 2018/19 season and won just one of their first seven matches last term, despite reaching the play-off final.

Henry played in both of those campaigns and revealed the experiences have enabled the squad to keep a level head, whatever situation they are in.

The midfielder said: “Historically we haven’t started great since I’ve been at the club, so we never panicked.

“It was almost a case of when it was going to happen.

“Now it’s clicking, so we just need to keep it going and not rest on our laurels, because things can change quickly.

“We’ve got another big game on Saturday that we need to get three points from.”

The 31-year-old was given the night off for Tuesday’s victory over Cambridge United, as were Josh Ruffels and Rob Atkinson.

Robinson made nine changes for the Papa John’s Trophy third round tie, meaning the majority of tomorrow’s line-up will not have started a game since the 5-1 win at Burton Albion on January 2.

United were able to maintain their unbeaten run while keeping players fresh and Henry knows how important this is.

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He said: “The team is never going to be defined by the 11 that start.

“It’s about the whole squad, as it’s hard to play every single game.

“Having a good squad is key, especially with how compact this season’s been.

“There has to be an element of rotation – we need everyone to be ready to play when called upon.”

After spending the early part of the campaign looking over their shoulders, United’s good form has put them within five points of the play-off places.

But with the U’s without a game next Tuesday, when there are nine League One matches, Robinson knows a negative result at Northampton could change the outlook.

He said: “I said to the players, if you don’t manage to win this game teams will overtake you and then we don’t play on Tuesday.

“You might lose a game on one bad half.

“The game’s so unpredictable and that’s why we love it.”