DEAN Whitehead's performances have won over the man who matters most - Oxford United boss Ian Atkins.

When the 21-year-old midfielder steps out to face Bristol Rovers at the Kassam Stadium today, he will be playing in his eighth successive league match - the longest run he has had in the team for two seasons.

But Atkins says Whitehead, who scored two cracking goals at Bury last Saturday, has given him the confidence to make him a regular fixture by the consistency of his perform- ances.

He said: "Dean's been growing up and he has given me massive confidence to play him, whereas last year I hadn't got as much as I should have.

"People said I should have given him the chance, but I need people who have a 90-minute game, not a two-minute game and if they get kicked are looking to come off.

"Dean's added that to his game, and has got stronger."

Whitehead and Steve Basham were both named in Match Weekly's Division 3 Team of the Week following their outstanding performances at Bury, while ten-goal Basham was named in the Football League's own Division 3 Team of the Week.

The Football League spokesman said: "Basham now looks a man on a mission and with the double figures tally safely reached, can go on and score a hatful more."

Whitehead has effectively taken over the role that Dave Savage had last season, and Savage is back at the Kassam today.

But the Irishman may be pushed into a more central midfield role by the return from injury of Wayne Carlisle, and if that happens, fellow ex-U's man Rob Quinn could drop down to the bench.

United, looking to consolidate second place in the table (leaders Hull are at home to Macclesfield) feel they have a score to settle against Bristol Rovers.

They played very well against them on Easter Monday, but were beaten by a dogged defensive performance and an Andy Rammell goal as the Pirates snatched a 1-0 victory, which ultimately cost the U's a play-off place.

Atkins said: "As a performance, it was as good as we had last year and it was all because we pressed from the front, penned them in, didn't give them time to settle.

"We've got to do the same today. We've got to go straight for the jugular, press right in and push people forward.

"And obviously, the lads at the back have then got to cope with everything that's thrown at them."

United should have Basham back after the thigh injury he collected at York.

Julian Alsop is favourite to start alongside him, but with Jefferson Louis ready to come on when Alsop tires.

Rovers are without right winger Lee Hodges, who has undergone an exploratory knee operation.

Christian Edwards, who has had two loan spells with Oxford, is at the back.

Eighteen-year-old wonder kid Halldane Lewis, scorer of three goals in his first three senior appearances, is set to partner seven-goal Paul Tait in their attack.

Oxford Utd: (probable) Woodman, McNiven, Ashton, Crosby, Bound, Robinson, Whitehead, Wanless, Hunt, Alsop, Basham. Subs from: Louis, Hackett, McCarthy, Waterman, Townsley, Brown, Rawle.

Bristol Rovers: (from) Miller, Parker, Barrett, Edwards, Austin, Carlisle, Savage, Hyde, Anderson, Tait, Lewis, Quinn, Bryant, Uddin, Rammell, Boxall, Clarke.