KARL Robinson is excited to test himself against a new opponent tomorrow.

Oxford United return to the Kassam Stadium to face Ipswich Town, led by former Manchester United assistant boss Kieran McKenna.

The pair have never been in opposite dugouts, with the Northern Irishman taking his first managerial job in English football when he was appointed at Portman Road in December.

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McKenna has overseen an impressive turnaround at Ipswich, who are on a nine-match unbeaten run – conceding just once in that time – and have lost just twice since he came in.

They arrive at Grenoble Road ninth with their Sky Bet League One play-off hopes still alive and head coach Robinson is relishing the challenge.

“I’ve not managed against their manager before, so it’s another first for me,” he said.

“When any manager comes in it’s a clean slate, but when they’ve been there for a while you end up with a fixed mindset.

“Kieran will be the same in three or four years.

“Those players have an opportunity (with a new manager) and the bar raises because of that.

“They’re a well-coached team, a well-organised team playing with a tremendous sense of calmness, which I like.

“It’s a really interesting game against top players and front players who should not be at this level, but I’m sure he’ll say there will be players at Oxford United that should not be at this level either.

“It’s a game I’m so excited about.”

Robinson was without nine players for last Saturday’s trip to Shrewsbury Town, but should have more options tomorrow.

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Jack Stevens is available again after falling ill the night before the win at Montgomery Waters Meadow and will challenge Simon Eastwood for a place in the team.

James Henry has returned to training after recovering from a groin injury, but Robinson was tight-lipped over the fitness of Ciaron Brown and Sam Long.

The defensive duo missed out through illness last week, with John Mousinho and Steve Seddon stepping in.

Ipswich have injury issues of their own and will be without striker Kayden Jackson, who damaged his hamstring against Portsmouth six days ago.

It is a blow for the visitors, but McKenna insists Ipswich will look to play on the front foot tomorrow.

“Oxford are a good team with some really strong individual players,” he told Ipswich’s official website.

“It’s not a surprise that they’re up there this season or that they have scored a lot of goals.

“We certainly respect them and we will go there expecting to face a brave team that likes to attack.

“Their home record is good and we will be wary of their threats, but beyond that will be the same in that we will focus on ourselves and try to make it the type of game we want it to be.

“We will look to impose our style on the game, and if we do that and put in a strong performance, we have a good chance of getting the result we want.”