Ian Atkins is still searching for the right combination up front to take Oxford United on to promotion.

After Saturday's disappointing 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers, he said: "At the moment we're a little bit inconsistent in the forward areas, and it's making it difficult."

The U's boss was heavily criticised for bringing on Jefferson Louis for Mark Rawle early in the second half at the Memorial Stadium, where his team let the lead slip eight minutes from time.

And he admits leading scorer Steve Basham's hamstring injury makes him a doubt for tomorrow night's home game against York City, when United have the opportunity to overtake Hull and move into second place in the table.

"I don't think Basham will be fit for York. He should be OK for Huddersfield on Saturday. But with hamstrings you've got to be careful, and if he's not right for Huddersfield we'll leave him another week."

Julian Alsop has not been in the best of form since he returned from a five-match suspension, and Louis was poor as a second-half substitute at the weekend.

Rawle and Lee Steele carry the biggest goal threat, in Basham's absence, but with both returning from injuries, Atkins doesn't seem confident that they will last 90 minutes.

Meanwhile, the United camp have reacted with amusement to Bristol Rovers caretaker-manager Phil Bater's claim that "they're just a team of bullies".

Bater said: "Oxford like to bully opponents and, as always with bullies, you have to stand up to them."

United are looking to see if they can sign 17-year-old goalkeeper Simon Overland.

The 6ft 4in keeper, who has been released by Millwall, followed up his good performance in a 4-0 friendly win for the Under 19s at Portsmouth with another good display in Saturday's 3-2 local derby victory at Swindon Town.