Graham Rix will wield the axe for what is expected to be a volatile League Two game at Bristol Rovers tomorrow.

And the Oxford United manager says those who play need to stand up and be brave.

The war of words between the two clubs following Ian Atkins's departure in March ensures it will be a highly competitive all-ticket match, with both sides given noisy backing from their fans.

Rix is looking for dramatic improvements in performance and attitude from Wednesday night, when the U's were embarrassingly knocked out of the LDV Vans Trophy at the first hurdle by effectively a reserve side from Conference club Exeter.

He said: "The way we performed against Exeter, any game is going to be a tough game.

"But the great thing about football is its up and down nature.

"I was very disappointed with them on Wednesday night, but as I said to them after the game, you've got a chance on Saturday to be heroes again.

"We have to go to Bristol Rovers with a positive attitude and get something out of it.

"I will be making changes. I wasn't happy with a lot of the things I saw against Exeter and no-one can really complain about being left out."

Knowing the type of side Atkins will play, Rix needs to send out a team that is competitive and combative.

And having seen some players fail to give it their all against Exeter, having done exactly the same at Yeovil, he has finally lost patience.

"I need people who are going to perform and die - die for the club and die for me.

"I know in my head the team I'm going to put out," he said.

"When we got stuffed 6-1 at Yeovil I was devastated, and the guys responded well against Bury.

"Then we play Exeter on our patch and score after three minutes. If I was out there playing, I'd be thinking 'come on' and would be wanting to turn the screw. But instead we stepped off the gas.

"It was not acceptable.

"We are inconsistent at the moment, and it's infuriating."

Chris Hackett, who gave an excellent performance when coming off the bench against the Grecians, looks certain to start, but it would be a tough match to throw 17-year-old Tom Winters into.

Leo Roget could return after injury, but it will be interesting to see just how many, and who Rix drops.

For Rovers, former United midfielder James Hunt is defintely ruled out after Rovers failed with their appeal against his sending-off at Northampton last weekend, but another United 'old boy', Dave Savage, seems certain to be involved.