Early team news as Oxford United host Cambridge United
Oxford United welcome back Ryan Taylor and Johnny Mullins but are likely to be without skipper Jake Wright when they welcome Cambridge United to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.
The U’s return to Sky Bet League 2 action after cup ties at Braintree and Dagenham and both Taylor and Mullins are eligible after suspension; Taylor’s for five yellows, Mullins for a sending off at Braintree.
Taylor has scored three goals in his last two games and adds competition up front where Kemar Roofe returns to the squad after resting a shoulder injury and Danny Hylton set up the first goal at Dagenham on Wednesday. Pat Hoban, scorer of that first minute goal, is also expected to be fit after a precautionary scan on a shoulder injury after a heavy fall on Wednesday.
However the U’s are unlikely to be able to call on the services of skipper Wright who is still recovering from a back problem.
“He’s struggling for Saturday” Michael Appleton told Yellow Player HD “but knowing Jake he will want to be back for the FA Cup replay against Braintree next Tuesday, or certainly for the league game at Dagenham if not.”
Callum O’Dowda is away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland under 21s but there was a boost for the U’s today when both Josh Ruffels and Sam Long were able to take part in training. Ruffels has been out of action for two weeks with a foot injury while Long is now well on the way to recovery following an ankle injury.
See Michael Appleton discussing his options for the game against Cambridge in Yellow Player HD now.