Striker Steve Basham has given Oxford United boss Graham Rix a selection dilemma by declaring himself fit for tonight's clash with Mansfield Town at the Kassam Stadium.

Basham, United's leading scorer last season, missed Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Boston with a virus.

But the former Preston and Southampton striker has trained for the last two days, and Rix admits that while his availability is a big boost for the U's, it gives him a problem.

Tommy Mooney and Lee Bradbury led the line at Boston, and Rix must now decide whether to start with Basham in a two or three-man front line, or only hand him a place on the bench.

"Bash has trained with us this week, and we will have another look at him this morning," Rix said.

"He is certainly in contention, but I just have to see if I think he's ready.

"I still haven't decided on the starting line-up because a few players were a bit below par on Saturday.

"We have a lot of competition for places here, and players have to realise that if they are not performing, then there are others who are working hard and want to take their places."

Rix will have Julian Alsop available again after a family problem stopped him from travelling to Boston, but he will once again be without Dave Woozley and Mark E'Beyer.

He must also decide whe- ther to keep the same midfield from Saturday, with Barry Quinn and Terry Parker pushing for a starting place.

The U's boss is urging supporters not to get disheartened following their opening-day defeat, and wants them to spur his side to victory over Mans- field.

"I have watched the video of the Boston game a few times, and while I was very disappointed with the result, I am not tearing my hair out just yet," he added.

"I'd love our supporters to come and cheer us on tonight, because a win over Mansfield would be massive for everyone here - especially the fans."

Mansfield boss Keith Curle is likely to name the same side that lost 2-0 at home to Ian Atkins's Bristol Rovers at the weekend.

That means former United defender Scott McNiven will return to his former club, and Dave Artell, a summer target of Rix, is likely to keep his place at the back with the highly-rated Rhys Day staying on the bench.