The U's, who are currently managed by Karl Robinson, sit one place above the foot of the table heading into this weekend's meeting, and have secured victory in just one of their opening eight league games, something they will need to improve upon if they aren't to be one of the sides struggling for the whole campaign.
Despite Oxford's dismal start, Walsall-born Keates, who has seen his side suffer just one league defeat so far this season, still believes that United shouldn't be taken lightly, and has called upon his side to be at their best as they make the trip to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking via the Express & Star, Dean said; "I think, when you look at the league table, their position is a bit false. They won’t be there at the end of the season. We have had them watched in their last few games and they are a very, very good side. At Wycombe last weekend, it ended 0-0 but they played some really good football.
"It’s going to be difficult game for us and we need to show a reaction because we were disappointed with how we performed against Doncaster. That disappointment is something we have got to channel. But all being well we will go to Oxford and put in a performance that will get us three points."