Oxford will 'enjoy' test at Sunderland - Buckingham

Des Buckingham says his team have shown they can compete with the division's top sides

Oxford United boss Des Buckingham says his side will "try to enjoy" their visit to Championship leaders Sunderland.

The U's have failed to win any of their five league away games so far and Saturday's hosts are unbeaten at the Stadium of Light this season.

Oxford have drawn five straight games, last picking up a win at home against Stoke City in the middle of September.

"It’s another big one but we’ll go and try to enjoy it," Buckingham told BBC Radio Oxford.

"It’ll be a wonderful atmosphere up there and they’re a good team but we’ve shown that we’re a good side too, we sit in a good place in the league and we’ve shown the type of football we want to play.

"When we play against good teams we try to give the best account of ourselves as we can and we’ll do exactly the same going up there."

Buckingham's side stopped West Brom going top of the table at the Kassam Stadium last weekend, and earlier in the season they secured draws at home to Burnley and away at Luton Town.

Saturday's game could be their toughest test yet against a Black Cats side who are the league's top goalscorers.

Boss 'fine' after leaving Derby match early

Buckingham had to leave the Kassam early in midweek after feeling unwell during Oxford's 1-1 draw with Derby County.

United assistant manager Craig Short told the media post-match that Buckingham had been checked over by the club doctor and recommended to head home after feeling ill with half an hour to go in the game.

"I went a little bit light-headed on Tuesday," Buckingham said.

"I chose to remove myself and sit a bit more back in the dugout in the second half. I didn’t want to make a scene if I had fallen over in the technical area.

"I managed to get through the game and decided to not hang around afterwards and got myself home and had a good night's sleep."