THE demands placed on Oxford United’s squad this season have forced the coaching staff to make compromises in training for months.

Tomorrow’s trip to AFC Wimbledon is the side’s 45th game of a campaign which has seen progress in all three cup competitions.

Midweek fixtures have become the norm and it has had an impact on the way the U’s prepare for their next clash.

Dividing the squad into two groups – one doing light recovery work, the other a normal session –is not a new experience for Michael Appleton, but the scale of it is unprecedented in his coaching career.

The U’s boss believes the last time training went smoothly for a week was in the autumn.

“It’s been quite difficult because I want the group to do the same as everybody else and make them feel part of what will hopefully be a successful season,” he said.

“We had one season at West Brom where we got to the play-off final and did well in the cup competitions.

“This is up there definitely in terms of the amount of games we could end up playing. It’s quite incredible really.

“You can’t plan too far ahead with the games that are coming.

“You might think ‘we’ll do that on Thursday’, but a couple of players pick up a knock on the Tuesday and they might be part of your plans for Saturday, so you have to scale everything down.

“Literally since November it has felt like it’s been Saturday-Tuesday.

“With cup replays and things it has been a long slog for the players.

“All we have to do is make sure when they get a week Saturday-Saturday they feel as fresh as they possibly can.

“The sooner we can get back to using the group as a whole the better. “ Regardless of the less than ideal preparation, a 4-1 midweek win at Exeter City has boosted United ahead of the game at Wimbledon.

Their hosts have spent most of the season in mid-table, but seven wins from the last eight games has transformed Neal Ardley’s men into promotion contenders.

Appleton is not surprised, after seeing United struggle to a 1-0 win against the Dons in October.

He said: “Neal at that time was very confident he had a side more than capable of finishing in the play-offs.

“Arguably they are the most dangerous opponents we will face over the next five or six games.

“I mean that with the greatest respect to Plymouth and Leyton Orient, but we’re playing against a side on their own patch who have won seven out of eight.

“That takes some doing when you look at the amount of praise Northampton are getting with ten wins on the bounce.

“You have to give them the credit they deserve. We’re going to have to be very strong and resolute.”