Oxford v Gillingham preview

Team new for Saturday's League Two clash between Oxford United and Gillingham at the Kassam Stadium.

Last Updated: 13/04/12 at 15:52   

Clarke: Out for Oxford

Clarke: Out for Oxford

Oxford could go into their League Two clash without goalkeeper Ryan Clarke.

The U's stopper faces a late fitness test on a rib problem ahead of the visit of the Gills, with Wayne Brown standing by to deputise should Clarke not be fit enough to feature.

Otherwise, Oxford manager Chris Wilder has no new injury or suspension problems to contend with as his side look to cement their place in the play-offs by beating their ninth-placed guests.

Veteran centre-back Michael Duberry returns from a ban and is likely to come back into the starting XI, but Peter Leven (knee), Tom Craddock (knee) and Alfie Potter (broken ankle) will not be available to Wilder on matchday.

Meanwhile, Gillingham have received a triple injury blow ahead of their crunch trip.

Midfielders Danny Jackman and Jack Payne will definitely miss out with groin and hamstring injuries respectively while defender Matt Fish faces a late fitness test on a knee problem.

The versatile Charlie Lee (ankle) is also not yet ready to return and is scheduled to rejoin training next week, along with midfielder Curtis Weston (knee).

But it is not all bad news for manager Andy Hessenthaler, who is set to be boosted by the returns of forward Gavin Tomlin (hamstring) and centre-back Simon King (ankle), while goalkeeper Ross Flitney (knee) will also be assessed as he nears his comeback.

It comes after striker Jo Kuffour returned from his knee problem as a second-half substitute in Easter Monday's disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Dagenham.

The Gills, ninth, desperately need victory at the Kassam Stadium to cut the four-point gap between themselves and seventh-placed Oxford as the games start to run out.

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League Two Fixtures

Saturday, 18 May 2013
13:30
Bradford v Northamptn

npower League 2

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Gillingham 46 27 83
2 Rotherham 46 15 79
3 Port Vale 46 35 78
4 Burton Alb 46 6 76
5 Cheltenham 46 7 75
6 Northamptn 46 9 73
7 Bradford 46 11 69
8 Chesterfld 46 15 67
9 Oxford Utd 46 -1 65
10 Exeter 46 1 64
11 Southend 46 6 61
12 Rochdale 46 -2 61
13 Fleetwood 46 -2 60
14 Bristol R 46 -9 60
15 Wycombe 46 -10 60
16 Morecambe 46 -6 58
17 York City 46 -10 55
18 Accrington 46 -17 54
19 Torquay 46 -7 53
20 AFC W'don 46 -22 53
21 Plymouth 46 -9 52
22 Dag + Red 46 -7 51
23 Barnet 46 -12 51
24 Aldershot 46 -18 48

Updated Sat, 27 Apr 2013

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