Chris Wilder has urged his Oxford United players to keep their cool for the final eight games of the Blue Square Premier season as they try to maintain their brilliant run at Rushden & Diamonds on Tuesday night.

With little margin for error, the U's simply cannot afford to have players sent off, so self-discipline will play a big part in their chase for a play-off place, especially at Nene Park this evening.

"We're in the final stretch of the season – there should be no problem with their desire – they all know what's at stake and what position we're in," Wilder said.

"We've got to play sensible football and make sure we don't get caught up in the occasion, in terms of the pressure situation, and it's a time for cool heads and people that can handle the game.

"Between now and the end of the season, the teams that make the best decisions, keep their cool and play to where they can do when all the bullets are flying, will be the ones that are successful."

By sensible football, Wilder was also referring to United’s second half at Kettering when they stopped doing the things that have brought them so many wins in recent weeks, but still stood up to the task defensively to triumph 2-1.

It means that from the last 14 league games, Oxford's record is a sensational 11-2-1.

Kevin Sandwith, dismissed for a second yellow card last Thursday, when he handled the ball after he looked to have been pushed, is suspended, so Chris Carruthers comes in as a straight swap at left back.

Adam Murray could return to the side, while Billy Turley, who was troubled by his injured shoulder at Rockingham Road, has benefitted from being able to get back on the training ground.

"Billy didn’t train up to the Kettering game and it's difficult for goalkeepers, I think they've got to be out on the training pitch," said United's manager yesterday.

"He managed to get through the game and we got the result, and he's been OK training today."

Wilder watched Rushden draw 1-1 at Salisbury on Saturday.

They have lost only once in seven games under their new manager, ex-Tottenham def-ender Justin Edinburgh, collecting draws against Torquay, Crawley and Salisbury on the last three Saturdays.

Ex-Oxford trio Michael Corcoran, Andy Burgess and Rob Wolleaston are playing key roles for the Diamonds .

Corcoran is in central defence, and Burgess in central midfield, alongside Wolleaston, who has scored four goals in seven games since the change of manager.

Rushden & D: (probable) Roberts, Osano, Corcoran, Hope, Robinson, Beecroft, Wolleaston, Burgess, Kelly, Tomlin, Rankine. Subs from: Cousins, Arthur, McGuinness, Smith, Jelleyman, McNamara.

Oxford Utd: (from) Turley, Batt, Willmott, Foster, Carruthers, Haldane, Chapman, Clist, Nelthorpe, Murray, Constable, Farrell, Odubade, Hinchliffe, Hutchinson, Day.

OXFORD United’s hopes of reaching the play-offs were dealt a big blow on Monday night when Kidderminster won 1-0 at Wrexham, with Chris McPhee scoring the winner four minutes into injury time.