MICHAEL Appleton is confident Oxford United’s chances of beating Yeovil Town today have been enhanced by giving key players a rest in midweek.

After barely making a change as the U’s played five games in 15 days, the head coach made six changes for the Capital One Cup tie at Sheffield Wednesday.

While those who came in did well, Appleton could revert back to the line-up which faced Mansfield Town a week ago when Yeovil visit the Kassam Stadium.

The U’s boss reckons the midweek move has recharged the batteries of main men like Danny Hylton and Kemar Roofe, in the hope of prompting a performance full of energy today.

He said: “Ultimately we had a lot of players who were fatigued.

“I could have taken a risk and we could be sat here having lost and all of a sudden have players who have played x-amount of games in a short space of time.

“I have tried to look after my players to get them in the best physical shape they can be going into the game on Saturday.”

He added: “I think they (the fringe players) all asked questions, which is good. I thought they handled it really well.”

Sam Long, who was stretchered off with an ankle injury on Tuesday, is the only player unavailable to Appleton.

United will be looking for a repeat of their previous home game, when Notts County were beaten 3-1 by some terrific attacking football.

While United are 12 games unbeaten in Sky Bet League Two, Yeovil had lost every match before coming from 2-0 down to beat Luton Town last weekend.

Appleton said: “They’ve done one thing so far this season that we haven’t done, which is beat Luton.

“We’ve got to have a lot of respect for them.

“They’re a good side and are quite expansive, similar to Notts County.

“I’m not sure the game will be as open as early as it was against Notts County, but in the latter stages it will be a bit to and fro.

“(Yeovil manager) Paul Sturrock is a wise old fox and I’m sure they have some kind of game plan to try and beat us.”

The visitors have seven players either in the treatment room or unavailable having only just returned to training after a lay-off.

They include Wes Fogden (finger), Simon Gillett and skipper Ryan Dickson (both knee).