PREVIEW Oxford United v Blackpool

Oxford United welcome Blackpool to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday in Sky Bet League 1 (3pm)

It's Family Day and a big crowd is expected to see the U's take on the Tangerines, a side chasing them at the top of the table.

TEAM NEWS
James Beadle, Fin Stevens and Greg Leigh all returned safely from international duty and are available as the U's look to extend a five game winning run in the league

Oisin Smyth misses out through suspension, a second yellow card against Bristol Rovers meaning he misses one game, but Stan Mills is available after a successful appeal against his red card in the same game and Alex Gorrin may be involved in the squad after signing a new deal this morning.

"We've trained well this week and will be ready" Liam Manning told iFollow, although illness and injury have slightly disrupted his plans. "It's typical that you have two weeks to plan but then get one or two knocks and pains and then a couple of people start feeling ill. We'll keep them away from the group and then see how everyone is closer to the game but we do know we have depth and we have players ready to step in and take their chance if they get one.

"It will be a tough game again. Blackpool have only just dropped down from the Championship and are a very strong side but we will do our homework and we are really looking forward to it."

See the full interview with Liam, and the thoughts of Greg Leigh and Mark Harris in iFollow now.

THE OPPOSITION
Blackpool Boss Neil Critchley is looking for his side to make it three wins in a row as the clubs meet for the first time since the Play-Off semi-final in 2021.

"I think it will be a really good game, if you look at how Oxford play, they are in a really good moment. They've got good players all over the pitch with some experience, athleticism in the right areas of the pitch and technical quality.

"They're winning games and they're at home so it breeds confidence, but we've been to Barnsley and won, we should've won at Charlton and we've been to Derby and won in the cup, so we've proven against the big clubs we can go there and win. We know we'll have to play well but we're in decent form ourselves.

"We've only lost once in our last six games and we're growing and improving. This is another chance for us to go and be us and do everything we can to impose our game and our style of game against a really good team."

Former U's forward Kyle Joseph misses out through an injury that has limited him to just one appearance so far this season

FAMILY DAY
It's Family Day with a host of activities all around the ground. The family-friendly activities, held mainly outside the South Stand, will kick off from 12pm to 2:30pm, and will give supporters plenty to enjoy before the football.

Season Ticket Holders can purchase a guest ticket HALF PRICE when booking in advance. Call the Ticket Office on 01865 337533 to take advantage of this offer.  

Fans can expect all these fantastic activities: 

• Meet our mascots Olly and Olivia  
• Coaching demos from the top class Oxford United in the Community team  
• FREE Facepainting (Yellow and Blue of course!) 
• Gaming Parties Gaming Van
• World Championship freestyler Luca Placintino showcasing his amazing skills 
• Smash Padel will be hosting lots of fun games for supporters to take part in 
• Escape Hunt Oxford will be testing supporters' cognitive skills with a mini escape
• Fun photo opportunities with Oxford New Theatre
• Partyman World, Oxford in attendance  

Tickets are available now from