Oxford Utd v Northampton preview

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Oxford look set to be without Patrick Hoban when they host former boss Chris Wilder and his Northampton side.

The striker is rated as 50/50 to feature having suffered a dead leg in the 0-0 draw at AFC Wimbledon which forced him off in the 32nd minute.

Head coach Michael Appleton has also revealed that Andy Whing, who made his first start since December, is carrying a knock along with George Baldock.

Appleton also confirmed that Jamie Ashdown will start once more. The former Portsmouth goalkeeper has been given the final games of the season to stake his claim for a new contract at the Kassam.

Northampton may not risk 17-goal striker Marc Richards after his recovery from an Achilles injury.

Richards could make the bench but boss Wilder may look to keep him for Saturday’s game with Cheltenham.

Ryan Cresswell and Jason Taylor are out as the pair serve two-game bans for the Cobblers.

Ricky Holmes will be assessed after the midfielder missed Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Stevenage which put a major dent in the Cobblers’ slim play-off hopes.

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Oxford Utd v Northampton preview

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Oxford are sweating over the fitness of veteran defender Michael Duberry ahead of their home clash.

Centre-back Duberry has been battling a groin strain which has kept him out of the Us’ last six matches, and is rated doubtful for the visit of the Cobblers.

Midfielder Paul McLaren is also a doubt for manager Chris Wilder due to a calf problem, but defender Liam Davis is available for selection once more after sitting out the 0-0 draw at Morecambe last weekend through suspension.

Meanwhile, winger Jon-Paul Pittman has returned to the club from his loan spell at Crawley but neither he nor new signing Matthew Fletcher, an Australia Under-20 international, is likely to be included in the matchday squad.

Northampton will be without the suspended Kelvin Langmead when they travel to Oxford.

Langmead was sent off for two bookable offences late on in the 1-1 home draw against Crewe last weekend in Aidy Boothroyd’s first game as Town manager and the on-loan defender must serve a one-match ban.

Boothroyd stamped his mark on the team by releasing Ashley Westwood and Chris Arthur ahead of that game, while Bas Savage has followed them out of Sixfields this week.

Other than that there were few changes to the side against Alex, apart from Ben Tozer dropping back into central defence and John Johnson moving to a midfield holding role.

Ahead of the trip to Oxford, Boothroyd said: “We will miss Kelvin but it gives someone else an opportunity to come into the team. We have got people who can come in, there are a couple of centre-halves in the youth team who I have been very pleased with and Andy Holt could slot in there as well.

“John Johnson will stay in midfield though, I think that’s his best position and he will play there on Saturday. I don’t have any fears about putting any young players in, I think you have got to stretch talent. I have been very impressed with Lewis Hornby from the youth team and he has got every chance of being involved on Saturday.”