OXFORD United boss Ian Atkins believes that, on his day, Bobby Ford is the best player in the third division.

Ford gave a supreme display in midfield as the U's got back to winning ways with a vital 3-2 win at promotion rivals Torquay last Saturday.

And the 28-year-old former Sheffield United player will again be a key figure as Oxford bid for their second double of the season when they take on Boston United at the Kassam Stadium today.

Atkins said: "When he plays well, not only does he pass well but he also hunts the ball, and when he does that, there is no better player in this division."

Ford, who six years ago moved to the Blades from Oxford for £400,000, has already won a PFA player-of-the-month award for Division 3 earlier in the season.

His creativity in the centre of the park will be crucial this afternoon as Atkins's men try to break down a Boston team that will be no pushovers after winning their last three games.

Atkins was weighing up whether to plump for Lee Steele in a three-man attack, after the former Brighton striker's winning brace at Plainmoor, or keep him on the bench at the start.

And he seemed to be angling more towards keeping with his forward duo of Steve Basham and Andy Scott.

"I've got a big decision to make with Steele," he admitted in his column in the Oxford Mail today.

But he added: "I'm definitely going to play him against Leyton Orient on Tuesday - I'm just not sure about today."

The only United player ruled out through injury, apart from long-term illness victim Jamie Brooks, is left back Paul Powell, who has a sore foot after Jefferson Louis accidentally stamped on it during training.

Boston include four players in their squad who know Oxford well . . . the Weatherstone brothers, Simon and Ross, plus defender Stuart Balmer and striker Stuart Douglas.

Eight-goal Simon starts on the right wing, while Ross and Douglas will be on the bench.

Former Charlton defender Balmer, a transfer target of Atkins this season, came for a trial at the Kassam Stadium before Christmas and played in an away game for the reserves.

Two other ex-United players miss the trip. Jamie Cook is injured and Mark Angel suspended.

The Pilgrims are also without the experienced Neil Redfearn, who is injured.

Oxford Utd: (from) Woodman, McNiven, Waterman, Crosby, Bound, Robinson, Savage, Ford, Hunt, Basham, Scott, Steele, Hunter, Louis, Oldfield, Hackett, Whitehead.

Boston Utd: (from) Bastock, Greaves, Hocking, Balmer, Chapman, S Weatherstone, Bennett, Ellender, Higgins, Duffield, Logan, Costello, Douglas, Price, George, R Weatherstone.

OXFORD United and Darren Patterson have been unable to reach agreement yet on a new contract.