The Chelsea Under-21s return to EFL Trophy action on Tuesday evening as we take on Oxford United, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm.

Mark Robinson's team know that only a win in 90 minutes will see us through to the next round of the competition, as we currently sit one point behind the Us in Group N.

MK Dons have already confirmed their place into the next round following two wins in the group, while Oxford's win over Northampton Town means they have the slight edge over us, heading into this encounter.

Last time

We faced Oxford United last year in the same competition and on that occasion a superb second-half performance gave us the victory.

Oxford took the lead through Matty Taylor, who was in the right place to prod home from a scramble in the box following a corner kick. Omari Hutchinson then missed from the penalty spot.

However, with just over 10 minutes to go in the game, Mason Burstow levelled for us with a fine effort from distance, which caught goalkeeper Simon Eastwood off guard. Lewis Hall then doubled our lead with a powerful right-footed shot, which found the top corner of the net.

Our opponents

The U's come into this game following a mixed run of form in the league. Despite only two wins in their last five games, Liam Manning's side are second in League One and enjoyed a fine start to the season.

Greg Leigh and Cameron Brannagan have been consistent goalscorers for Oxford and our young Blues will need to be prepared for their threat.

Words from the head coach

Our Under-21s have won two of our last five league games, so with the knowledge of only a win being enough, Robinson shared his thoughts ahead of the game.

'To beat Oxford we need to have the belief that we can enforce our attacking style onto the game, but we also have to be absolutely brilliant without the ball, and that is including the defending of set-pieces.

'Oxford United's pitch is a big one, meaning that when we attack we need excellent structure behind the ball, and when we have not got the ball we need to be disciplined, patient and aggressive at the right times.'

Robinson's side were in a similar position last season, needing a win to guarantee our place in the next round, and delivered on that occasion by beating Leyton Orient 3-2.

'We put in a brilliant performance against Leyton Orient at this stage last season and we will need the same on Tuesday night against an excellent League One side.'

The Under-21s head coach wants his boys to put in a mature display, as he has described recent matches in the league as 'too transitional'.

'When a match becomes transitional, it is one of the most difficult things to affect as a coach. A lot of these players would have grown up in an environment where if the opposition score, you know you are good enough to score two or three. Then as you go through the age groups, the margins tighten.'

He continued: 'It is vital to understand defensive shape and being comfortable without the ball, because at first-team level you have to work so hard to score a goal and do so many things right not to concede.

'I was talking to Bashir Humphreys, who had to play with 10 men for Swansea for 70 minutes and grind out a draw with just over 20 per cent possession.

'Trying to create an environment for our lads where they understand the consequence of switching off, or not doing those extra yards earlier, is not easy, because like a lot of things in life you cannot understand the full repercussions of your lack of actions until you actually experience it.'