IAN Atkins has told his Oxford United players they will get through today's tricky FA Cup first-round tie at Dover only if they show enough desire.

The U's boss will be drumming into them in his team talk at The Crabble that this is not the time to try anything fancy.

"We need to go in with a good attitude, and show the right strength and determination. We have to stand up and be counted," he said.

"We know we've got better players than Dover, with no disrespect to them, but we've got to show the desire to go out and win challenges all over the park, and make it very difficult for them.

"If one or two think they can go out at the start and play little passing triangles, they've got another thing coming.

"Dover are big and strong and will play the ball long, and we have to compete with them."

Atkins added: "The lads have not had a day off this week. We've been working hard on the system we're going to use and on putting the onus on the opposition.

"It's a massive blow not having Adi Viveash, but overall the preparations have been good. Now it's up to the players."

It's three seasons since Oxford United had any real joy in the FA Cup. Last season they went down with a whimper, 1-0 at Mansfield when they barely managed a shot on goal, and the season before they were dumped out by Conference club Chester.

The Kent club, third in the Dr Martens League Premier Division, are hoping that their record attendance (since the club was re-formed as Dover Athletic) of 4,035 might be broken, although a 3,500 gate looks more realistic.

Dover boss Clive Walker has lost midfielder Darren Davies, who aggravated a knee injury in a 2-1 win over Folkestone on Monday. Their key players are veteran striker Nicky Dent and Tommy Tyne, who hit the winner in the replay at Woking in the last round.

United's Chris Hackett has now served his one-match suspension and could be on the bench.

Atkins has also added 19-year-old Robert Lovegrove, captain of United's youth team, and Adam Garner, 18, as defensive cover, highlighting how short on numbers the club are having failed to sign Viveash. "The FA Cup is a little bit special," admitted United's manager, who may have a goalkeeper on the bench as a precaution.

"I've got a good record against non-League teams. Only Yeovil have beaten one of my teams when I was at Northampton, and we had about 16 players out. And that's over a lot of ties."

Dover Ath: (from) Hyde, Browne, Arnott, Readings, Chapman, Day, Spiller, Glover, Carruthers, Dent, Tyne, James, Williams, Sykes, Godden, Smissen.

Oxford Utd: (from) Woodman, McNiven, Crosby, Bound, Waterman, Robinson, Whitehead, Hunt, Savage, Oldfield, Basham, Hackett, Hunter, Louis, Omoyinmi, Powell, McCaldon, Lovegrove, Garner.

OXFORD United are 4-5 favourites to win today's tie, with Dover 11-4 and the draw priced at 12-5.

SAM Ricketts' loan to Nuneaton ends this weekend.

"I think it's done him the world of good, and it would probably benefit him to have a second month," said Ian Atkins.