Paul Powell's cruciate knee ligaments injury is not as severe as first thought but the 22-year-old left back will still be out until Christmas.

Powell ruptured the posterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee in a challenge early in the second half of Oxford United's 3-2 defeat at Walsall last week.

He saw a consultant specialist on Monday and underwent an arthroscopy yesterday, and after studying the results of an MRI scan and the images from the exploratory operation, the consultant has decided Powell will not require surgery.

Immediately after Walsall it was feared Powell might be out for up to eight months, but with a programme of strengthening work on his knee he could be back around Christmas.

United's assistant manager Mickey Lewis is delighted that tomorrow night's trip to Wycombe comes so soon after the disappointment of Tuesday, as it gives the players a chance to get the Wolves result out of their system.

"That's the best way to put it out of your mind, play again quickly and even more so in a big local derby," he said.