PREVIEW Oxford United v Cheltenham Town

Oxford United kick off the new year with a home game against Cheltenham Town in Sky Bet League 1 at the Kassam Stadium on New Year's Day (3pm)

The U's were superb at home throughout 2021 and Wednesday night's win over AFC Wimbledon moved them up to fifth in the table.

Herbie Kane will remain with the club until the end of the season and boss Karl Robinson is unlikely to break up the midfield trio of Kane, Cameron Brannagan and Mark Sykes, who scored his seventh goal of the season on Wednesday.

With a settled defence in front of Simon Eastwood keeping another clean sheet the fit again Jack Stevens will remain on the bench but as Karl Robinson told iFollow yesterday there is serious competition from that bench:

"Jack came back on Wednesday but the hardest choice was at right back. Anthony Forde has been superb and never ever lets us down but Sam Long had a terrific game and that is because of Fordy: they push each other for that place and we have that everywhere. Luke McNally did nothing wrong and pushes Elliott Moore and Jordan Thorniley, and we have competition in every position.

"Obviously we know where we need to strengthen as well and there will be new faces this window, but it is already a very strong group."

James Henry is missing with a calf injury while Dan Agyei was ruled out for covid reasons on Wednesday.

See Karl, Ryan Williams, Elliott Moore and Herbie Kane previewing the game in iFollow.

THE OPPOSITION
Cheltenham postponed their trip to MK Dons on Wednesday due to a number of players being absent through covid or injury but the situation looks to have improved and there are several former United players in the Cheltenham ranks.

Charlie Raglan, Liam Sercombe, Dan Crowley and Kyle Vassell will all be hoping to impress against their former club and help the Robins continue an impressive first season at this level after promotion last season.