The Robins travel to the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday evening to take on Aaron Ramsey's side in the group stage of the EFL Trophy.

The fixture comes three days after a youthful Oxford team were knocked out of the FA Cup by League One rivals Stevenage in a 1-0 defeat.

League Two club Cheltenham, on the other hand, beat National League outfit Halifax Town 2-0 to progress to the Second Round.

Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey (Image: Darrell Fisher)

In Southern Group A of the Trophy, Oxford sit third with one point after one game, drawing 2-2 with Exeter City in October; Cotterill's side are second with four points from two matches.

Having not previously hidden his feelings towards this competition, the Robins manager sent an honest message to supporters ahead of the visit to OX4.

"We roll on to the midweek game now," he told Cheltenham reporter Jon Palmer on X.

"We think about changing that team; there will be lots of changes in that.

A very honest message to Cheltenham Town supporters from manager Steve Cotterill about the team he is likely to field at Oxford United on Tuesday night in the EFL Trophy #ctfc https://t.co/N8UxDv8be7

— Jon Palmer (@JonPalmerSport) November 7, 2026

"So I would say to our supporters, anyone who is thinking of travelling: thanks very much, we really appreciate it if you are going to travel, but stay at home.

"We are going to try and do well but stay at home on that.

"We do not want anyone spending their money going down there in this game because there will be lots of changes."