LIAM Manning has sent a message to those in his Oxford United squad currently not getting any minutes on the pitch.

The likes of Jordan Thorniley, Stephan Negru, Oisin Smyth and Sonny Perkins have all watched from the sidelines in recent weeks.

Smyth was the last of that quartet to play for United, when he was sent off after picking up two yellow cards late on in the win at home to Bristol Rovers on October 7.

Before then though, Thorniley’s 90 minutes in the 3-0 victory at home to Exeter City on September 23 marked the previous time one of the above four players featured for the U’s.

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Sam Long hobbled off on crutches as United won at Lincoln City in midweek, with head coach Manning using Long’s potential absence as an example of possible opportunities for players when asked in general about those not getting regular game time.

“The only thing you can control is how you turn up and apply yourself every day,” said Manning.

“You see Longy gets injured, so somebody has to be ready to step in if called upon.

“It can change so quickly, whether it be a suspension or an injury, and sometimes we’ve changed it to try and find different ways of getting success in games. Everybody has to be ready when called upon.”