Northampton v Oxford preview

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Northampton boss Chris Wilder has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the home clash with former club Oxford as his current side aim to secure Sky Bet League Two survival.

The Cobblers go into the final weekend of the season three points clear of 23rd-placed Wycombe, who travel to already-relegated Torquay, but do so with an inferior goal difference.

Wilder will be tempted to stick with the team that lifted Northampton out of the relegation zone for the first time since September with a 3-0 victory at Dagenham last time out.

Joe Widdowson (ankle), Alex Nicholls (broken leg) and Lee Collins (toe) are all long-term absentees.

Oxford have no fresh injury worries as they look to relegate former manager Chris Wilder and his Northampton side.

The U’s, who saw Wilder depart in January to Sixfields, have lost their last three games to ruin any chance of a late League Two play-off push, and changes could be afoot following their disappointing home defeat to Accrington last time out.

Boss Gary Waddock admits he is tempted to throw some of his young players into action against the Cobblers but admits he is focused on getting a result to end their season on a high.

Scott Davies, Danny Rose and Sean Rigg are all pushing for starts.

Northampton v Oxford preview

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Northampton will have an unchanged squad.

The Cobblers have not played since March 12 after last Saturday’s trip to Wycombe was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Ahead of that game, Aidy Boothroyd was mulling over whether to make changes following the 1-1 draw against Morecambe – and the Town boss faces the same decision this weekend.

Leading scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa was rested again at the Globe Arena, coming on as a substitute midway through the second half for the second game in succession.

With Alex Nicholls the only absentee as he continues his recovery from a broken leg, 17-goal striker Akinfenwa is one of many options available to Boothroyd.

Fellow forward Clive Platt and midfielder Lewis Hornby are pushing for recalls after being benched against the Shrimps, while midfielder Luke Guttridge and striker Jake Robinson are also options.

Northampton slipped to sixth in the table last weekend after they were left kicking their heels.

Promotion rivals Port Vale, Cheltenham and Exeter all took full advantage of the Cobblers’ inactivity with victories, with the Robins and Grecians leapfrogging Boothroyd’s side in the standings.

Oxford boss Chris Wilder has no fresh injury concerns as his side prepare for the crucial clash.

The U’s travel to Sixfields knowing defeat could leave them nine points adrift of the top seven with six games remaining.

And Wilder could include Jon-Paul Pittman on the bench after the forward returned to training following his dislocated shoulder.

The former Crawley and Wycombe forward has been missing since December and he looks set to feature in the matchday squad.

Oxford have lost just two in their last eight games but their play-off hopes suffered a blow when Chesterfield won 1-0 at the Kassam last weekend.

The U’s remain without long-term injury victims goalkeeper Ryan Clarke (shoulder), striker Justin Richards (knee) and midfielder Peter Leven (knee).

Northampton v Oxford preview

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Northampton boss Aidy Boothroyd has a fully fit squad at his disposal.

Boothroyd could opt to make some changes with two matches in four days over the Easter period.

Defenders Anthony Charles and Byron Webster, midfielder Ben Harding and forwards Lewis Young, Jake Robinson and Brett Williams are among his options.

Ahead of the game Boothroyd said: “Everybody is fit, we’ve got the normal bumps and bruises but nothing too serious.

“We’ve got a good nucleus of players on which to build but we’ve still got seven games left this season and everybody has still got an opportunity to impress.

“We know we need to get a lot better but I think we are on the right track.”

Meanwhile, Oxford will welcome back four first-team players from injury.

Oli Johnson (hamstring), Michael Duberry (groin), Simon Heslop (foot) and Jon-Paul Pittman (hamstring) have all been out of action of late but return to contention for the visit to Sixfields.

Defender Harry Worley picked up an ankle injury in the 2-0 win at Accrington last week and remains a doubt, while Tony Capaldi is close to making his debut after sitting on the substitutes’ bench for the 2-1 home defeat to Morecambe having shrugged off a knee complaint.

Tom Craddock (knee) is also on the mend, but will not be available to face the Cobblers and Alfie Potter is out for the season with a broken ankle.

Northampton v Oxford preview

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Northampton will hand a debut to new signing Shaun Harrad.

Harrad has scored 13 goals already this season and will start after joining from Burton Albion for an undisclosed fee.

He could partner former Norwich striker Leon McKenzie, who has returned to full training after his latest thigh problem, while fellow forward Billy McKay could also return from the calf injury which kept him out last week.

Midfielder Kevin Thornton remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and left-back Liam Davis has emerged as a doubt with a knee injury picked up at Gillingham. Marcus Hall will deputise if required.

Former Southend winger Francis Laurent will be in the squad after signing last week and New Zealand teenager Michael Built could also feature for the first time after signing professional terms.

Reserve goalkeeper Paul Walker is out with a hand injury so youth team prospect Mickel Gherasim will again be on the bench.

Steve MacLean is poised to continue in attack for Oxford after extending his loan deal.

Striker MacLean, who has prolonged his stay at the Kassam Stadium until the end of the season, is set to start alongside Tom Craddock following the pair’s goalscoring exploits in last week’s 2-1 win over Bradford.

MacLean is on loan from Plymouth but after his initial deal expired last Saturday, the U’s moved quickly to wrap up an extension.

Recent signing Djoumin Sangare will be hoping for more game time after making his debut as a substitute against the Bantams following his arrival on a free transfer.