Long returns in friendly ahead of Easter weekend
Sam Long could be back in contention for the U’s as they go in to the busy Easter weekend.The versatile defender has been out of action with a hip strain but returned to action this afternoon as a Development side played a behind closed doors friendly at MK Dons.
Long came through the full 90 minutes and provided there is no reaction could return to the squad for Good Friday’s home game against Stevenage and Easter Monday’s game at Cambridge United where United will be without Jonjoe Kenny.
The Development side lost 3-1 at MK Dons, with a Trialist scoring the goal
United: Slocombe, Long, Cundy, Carroll, Grant (C Hawtin), Trialist, Ashby (Hayden), Ruffels, Giles, Graham (Trialist), Maguire
The U’s will be well represented around the world this week with no fewer than five players away on international duty. However, goalkeeper Benji Buchel will not be among them. The goalkeeper has opted to stay at Oxford United and be involved over the Easter period, therefore missing out on a training camp and friendly game for Liechtenstein.
Players who are away on international duty this week are:
AJ George - Antigua and Barbuda
Callum O’Dowda - Republic of Ireland Under 21s
Canice Carroll- Republic of Ireland under 17s
Jonjoe Kenny - England under 19s
Jordan Evans - Wales under 21
Despite this number of players being away the club can confirm that the option to postpone games due to international call ups does not apply due to two of the arrangements being youth loans and Canice’s call up being a youth international.