Mowatt and van Kessel Boost the U's

Oxford United will be boosted by the return of Alex Mowatt and Gino van Kessel when they take on Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night at the Kassam Stadium (7.45pm)

Mowatt has served the three game ban following his red card at Portsmouth and comes into Karl Robinson’s thoughts as the U’s prepare for their second home game in quick succession.

 “Alex will be back; he’s a bit lighter in the pocket though!” United’s Head Coach told iFollow today.

 “ Hopefully we will have Gino back as well which is good news because we thought he was out for the season but he has recovered well and adds a bit of pace and power. He came in on Sunday and trained and if he comes through training OK again then he will be in the squad.”

 Josh Ruffels tweaked a hamstring on Saturday and is a doubt while both James Henry and Wes Thomas took hefty blows right at the end of the game.

 “That’s what I expect of the players at this football club that you leave your body on the pitch!” Robinson joked.” I don’t think any of them could have taken their shirt off after Saturday’s game and thought they could have given more. That’s all we ask; honesty and endeavour and togetherness. Hopefully that prevails and we get the points we need then dust ourselves off, re evaluate and move forward. We are very calm and we know what is needed at this time of the year and we believe the players will come up trumps over the next few games, starting on Tuesday.

 “We will be competitive and know what we have to achieve in the short term as well as in the long term. I think the fans were brilliant on Saturday and that can make such a difference, so we hope they come along and get behind us again on Tuesday and at home to Southend on Saturday as well.”

See the full interview in iFollow plus the thoughts of captain John Mousinho in the Preview Show.

 We want everyone here to back the U’s on Tuesday night. Tickets are available online from oufctickets.co.uk and by calling 01865 337533