PREVIEW Oxford United v Carlisle United

Oxford United get their Sky Bet League 1 home campaign under way when they welcome Carlisle United to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday (3pm)

The U's lost out on the opening day at Cambridge but will be looking to celebrate the first home game of the season with a win.

TEAM NEWS
United have doubts over Cameron Brannagan and Jordan Thorniley who both limped off during the Carabao Cup game at Bristol City on Wednesday.

"We'll wait and see with both of them" Liam Manning told us. "We came in and trained on Thursday, much of it aimed at recovery from the game the night before. Cam and Jordan are in good hands and we'll just see how things settle down on Friday before we make a decision."

Josh McEachran and Marcus Browne were rested in midweek but are expected to be involved while Sam Long, Ruben Rodrigues and Mark Harris will all be hoping for a recall to the starting XI. Harris told iFollow:

"We need a reaction. The two games so far haven't gone how we wanted but we get a chance to put that right on Saturday. We have good players here and we need to show that, starting against Carlisle in front of our own supporters for the first time."

See Liam and Mark talking about the game in iFollow today.

THE OPPOSITION
Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson will always be a hero to the Oxford fans who saw him play at the Manor. The former Man City winger was a fine player who scored spectacular goals during his time at the U’s and he is expecting his side to face a stern test as he returns to Oxford on Saturday.

"I think Oxford are a good football team” he said. “They have got a new coach who has gone in there who wants to stamp his own style of play. They want to play like a total football game and they have got good individuals who can do it as well. We have got to be really on our game but it is one that we are really looking forward to. I am hopeful that we can perform to the right levels."

The newly-promoted Cumbrians started the season with a 1-1 draw at home against Fleetwood Town before losing 1-0 to Harrogate Town in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

“It is still early. So I didn’t expect us to be the finished article after two games” Simpson said.”We will improve over the season and we will get better. We will get more understanding as we have a few new players in the group. It is the case of best foot forward and look forward to the next one."

TICKETS
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