U's get set for FA Cup fourth round
Oxford United Head Coach Michael Appleton faces a former club for the second time in a row as United welcome Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday. After beating Portsmouth in the league last week, Michael was keen to keep the attention on his team rather than himself when he spoke to Yellow Player HD earlier today.
“I’m not really buying into what other people are trying to make it” he said. “It’s not about me and my time at Blackburn, I was only there for two and a half months or so. I enjoyed my time there although I was a little bit disappointed with how it all ended.
“The excitement on Saturday for both clubs is that there is an opportunity for one of us to get into the last 16 of the FA Cup. For a club the size of Oxford that would be a massive achievement.”
United welcome Jonjoe Kenny into the squad on Saturday, with the Everton defender training with his new teammates for the first time today.
“Jonjoe is a good character” Michael said. “He has a good temperament and did really well at Wigan earlier in the season before he got injured. I’m looking forward to him showcasing what I know he has the ability to do.”
Michael was keen to end the speculation regarding regular right back George Baldock, who will be returning to parent club MK Dons after Saturday’s game.
“George is going to return to MK Dons after Saturday” Michael confirmed. “We firmly believe that he goes back as not only a better player but a better person for having spent 12 months here. I hope he goes on to fulfil the career that I know he is capable of.
“Whether he returns one day you never know; the door will always be open. At the minute he returns to MK Dons after Saturday and we wish him all the best, and I’m sure they will be delighted to have him back.”
See the whole interview, where Michael also talks about United's efforts to sign George permanently, plus a first interview with Jonjoe Kenny in Yellow Player HD