OXFORD United will make several changes at Queens Park Rangers – but Karl Robinson says they can still be ‘ultra-competitive’.

The U’s head coach is set to rotate his line-up for tomorrow’s Carabao Cup second round tie, as he deals with injuries and aims to keep players fresh.

It has paid off before in the competition, most notably when United beat Premier League side West Ham United 4-0 in September 2019 despite making six changes.

QPR are fifth in the Sky Bet Championship, but Robinson says the U’s will challenge in front of an away following that is set to comfortably exceed 2,000.

United’s head coach said: “We’ll make a lot of changes, but we’ve always done that - that’s not just because it’s QPR.

“Some will be forced and some will be on purpose, but we’re ready to go.”

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He added: “The fans just want to have a great day out, but we feel that we can be ultra-competitive.

“It’s a competition that we’ve done relatively well in, so we’re looking forward to it.

“The lads who might come in will see the performance levels at the weekend and see a team that’s starting to gel.

“I’m looking forward to seeing one or two new things tomorrow as well.”

Robinson suggested at the weekend that some young players will be involved, having included Leon Chambers-Parillon, Josh Johnson, Tyler Goodrham and Ben Watt in his squad for the first-round win at Burton Albion.

United also have a considerable injury list, with James Henry, Billy Bodin, Ryan Williams, Sam Long and Jamie Hanson all out.

QPR may well make changes too, but Robinson knows that is not always the case with higher-division opponents.

He learned the hard way in 2015, when his MK Dons side lost 6-0 at home to Southampton in the Carabao Cup third round.

He said: “I made ten outfield changes, expecting (Ronald) Koeman to make the same.

“When we shook hands and exchanged team-sheets, I saw names like Van Dijk and Mane and thought ‘oh no’.

“They made no changes and we got beaten by six.”