MICHAEL Appleton admits certain Oxford United’s players must be carefully managed after the heavy schedule raised red flags over their physical condition.

The head coach is looking to bring in additional attacking options on loan to ease the burden, although a move for Bolton Wanderers striker Kaiyne Woolery is now unlikely.

Cup commitments and rearranged games mean United are in the middle of seven games in 27 days.

The strain is beginning to show on a starting XI in which Appleton has largely kept faith.

Alex MacDonald was left out of Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to Northampton Town and the U’s boss acknowledges the winger is one of several players whose game time needs to be watched to avoid risking injuries.

He said: “We’ve got a few players who are ‘red flagging’ when you talk to the medical department.

“They’ve put a right shift in and we’ve got to be really careful we don’t pick up injuries.

“Sometimes your selection might have to reflect where people are physically, as well as mentally.

He added: “(MacDonald) had a period out of the team at the start of the season, but since then he’s played a hell of a lot of football.

“I think the front four are the areas which will be more rotated than in other areas.”

Despite the midweek defeat, United remain in Sky Bet League Two’s automatic promotion places.

But with so many games in quick succession, it is a crucial phase of the campaign and they are looking for reinforcements in the loan market to sustain their bid.

Appleton indicated on Tuesday nothing was imminent, but has cleared up a rumour they are lining up a big money move for Woolery.

United did make an approach about a loan move in January.

But with the 21-year-old now featuring in the Sky Bet Championship club’s first team it is now thought to be a dead end.

Appleton said: “He’s someone I’ve been aware of since he was at Tamworth.

“It’s probably a bit mischievous because there was an enquiry before the window shut.

“But with the predicament Bolton find themselves in, it wouldn’t surprise me if it had come from someone up north rather than down here.

“He’s in the team now and scored the winner the other day, so I can’t see it happening. It was only a loan situation anyway.