Oxford v Accrington preview

Team news ahead of Saturday's League Two clash between Oxford United and Accrington Stanley at Kassam Stadium.

Last Updated: 19/10/12 at 11:32   

Batt: In contention for U's

Batt: In contention for U's

Oxford boss Chris Wilder is expected to wield the axe.

Wilder kept his players in the dressing room for 45 minutes following Monday's defeat at Port Vale before claiming his side had "taken a step backwards".

Damian Batt was left out of the squad for that match despite returning to full fitness but should earn a recall against Stanley.

Midfielder Lee Cox returned to the bench having recovered from a groin injury ahead of schedule and could be named in the starting XI. Jake Wright is suspended for the U's.

Defender Luke O'Brien was hauled off at half-time against Vale after an under-par display, and Tony Capaldi is expected to return at left-back.

Midfielder Andrew Whing is also pushing for a starting place while David Lynn, Alfie Potter and Tyrone Marsh also come into consideration.

Liam Davis (groin), JP Pittman, Michael Raynes (both hamstring) and Michael Duberry (neck) are all still missing.

Accrington manager Paul Cook has no new injury concerns.

Midfielder Charlie Barnett has resumed light training but is highly unlikely to feature following a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

On-loan Bolton forward Jack Sampson failed to make the matchday squad for last weekend's loss at Torquay and will hope to break into boss Paul Cook's plans having spent some time with his new team-mates on the training pitch.

The 3-1 reverse at Plainmoor left Stanley two points outside the play-off places, but Watford loanee Piero Mingoia believes Cook's squad have the capacity to push for a top-seven spot.

"It's a little bit early to start talking about targets," the midfielder said. "If you look at it there's been a lot of games that have been tight.

"If we just focus on ourselves then at the end there could be a nice surprise for us finding ourselves in the top seven places of this league."

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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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