DANNY Rose remains part of Oxford United head coach Michael Appleton’s plans for the future, despite being left out at the weekend.

It was only the second time this season the midfielder, who has made 26 appearances in all competitions, had not been included in the matchday squad.

Rose, 26, was on the pitch at the Kassam Stadium ahead of Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Southend United, but spent most of the warm-up doing a running session on his own.

While five out-of-favour players have left the club in the past month, but Appleton insisted Rose is not about to join them.

He said: “The group we've seen (on Saturday) is pretty much where we are at the minute.

“Danny's still a part of it, he was here, but was obviously the 19th man.”

Today a United team will play at the St George's Park National Football Centre for the first time.

A development side including John Campbell, Josh Ashby and several triallists will take on the Nike Academy, a Loughborough-based team made up of players released from professional clubs.