CHRIS Hogg is optimistic that Oxford United can field a starting line-up with players all in the correct position as the U’s face something of a full back crisis.

United head to Northampton Town this evening in the EFL Trophy with no senior players available at full back.

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Ciaron Brown, Greg Leigh and Fin Stevens are all away on international duty, while Sam Long remains sidelined with a hamstring complaint.

It leaves the U’s short at the back for the trip to Sixfields, with assistant head coach Hogg tight-lipped on whether the side will see players out of position or if academy players will be called up to the first team.

He said: “I’m not a big fan of formations and systems, it’s people and personnel, and it is structures.

“For us, it’ll be trying to consistently work on what we’ve been working on and trying to refine certain things with the players that come in, and push the players to grasp the opportunity to play.

“Hopefully you’ll see everybody in the right position. We want to give the team the best chance to perform, whilst there will be one or two changes naturally – it wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to work that one out.

“It’s about trying to keep our principles and way of playing as consistent as we can.

“Hopefully you’ll see an Oxford United team out there, fighting, with good behaviours, good discipline and good focus to go and perform.”

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In addition to Brown, Leigh and Stevens, international call-ups mean United will also be unable to include James Beadle, Tyler Goodrham and Sonny Perkins in the matchday squad tonight.

Hogg said: “It’s always one of them, you’re really proud and happy for the boys who have been called up because it’s an unbelievable achievement for them.

“To be involved at any age group for your country is a special occasion.

“On the one hand, it’s brilliant, but on the other you want to try and get back to the football and winning ways, and performing and doing well as a group.

“We’ve got a game and an opportunity for the boys to do that.”

Of the six players away on international duty, four were signed by the U’s this summer.

“We’ve signed some good players who have been called up but what it does bring is opportunity for people,” said Hogg.

“I’ve always liked this competition in terms of the opportunity it can bring for everybody to go and get minutes if they haven’t played or to continue performing really well if they have been in the team.

“It’ll be a chance for the boys who have been in the squad and maybe not played enough minutes, but also there’ll be boys in there who will be looking to continue to perform.”

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