OXFORD United will be told to smarten up as they switch from the Manor to the Palace tomorrow.

And those who don't look the part seem certain to miss the trip.

Boss Malcolm Shotton is set to make at least three changes after the dismal display which sent the team crashing out of the Worthington Cup against Luton, and there could be more.

Steve Davis and Martin Gray are ready to return after injury while Christophe Remy's impressive performance for the reserves may have done enough to earn him a place, particularly if Shotton chooses to go for five at the back to stem the flow of goals against.

Shotton's assistant Mark Harrison believes United's first-team players should at least have exorcised the evil habits they developed on Tuesday evening by beating Peterborough Reserves the following night.

"Playing them in the reserves served its purpose and has hopefully got confidence back," he said.

"They were edgy at the start and needed to get the previous game out of their system, but then it came good and their movement and passing was better.

"We didn't want to wait until tomorrow for them to have the chance to turn it around. They should now approach Palace in a better frame of mind." The players were given yesterday off to rest, after matches on successive nights.

Right wing-back Remy and midfielder Danny Hill could both come in for their first match of the season.

"Remy's quality against Peterborough was excellent but we haven't yet worked on what team or what system we'll use," Harrison added.

"Gray trained yesterday and should be OK, and Davis upped his training. As well as the overall team, we need to look at which individuals are sufferng from a loss of form."

Terry Venables is still trying to bring in new players to strengthen relegated Crystal Palace's team but he has had problems getting international clearance and work permits.

Clearance has still not come through for the two China defenders he has at Selhurst Park. A work permit has been processed for Israeli left back David Amsalem, an £800,000 signing from Beitar Jerusalem, and there's a chance he could make his debut or be handed a place on the bench.

Simon Rodger and France Under 21 defender Valerien Ismael, who came through a reserve game in midweek, are added to the side which lost 3-1 at Birmingham last Sunday.

Marcus Bent, who scored for the reserves although they lost 6-2, could take over from Bruce Dyer up front alongside the lively Matt Jansen. Neil Shipperley is sidelined with a broken bone in his wrist.

UNITED'S SE Counties Youth League match against Cambridge tomorrow (11am) will be played at North Leigh.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.