Watch Ketsbaia . . . that will be the message to Oxford United's players as they try to finish off Wolves in the second leg of their Worthington Cup first round tie at the Manor Ground tonight.

Former Newcastle ace Temuri Ketsbaia was outstanding in the first leg at Molineux when United achieved a stunning 1-0 win.

And the midfielder, capped 34 times by Georgia, was equally impressive at Gillingham on Saturday even though Colin Lee's side again went down 1-0.

"It's important our defence squeezes out," said U's first-team coach Mickey Lewis. "If Ketsbaia gets room he's going to give us problems."

Ketsbaia may even be pressed into playing up front because Wolves have an injury crisis.

Ruled out tonight are Simon Osborne (knee), Neil Emblen (leg), George Ndah (groin), Paul Branch (hamstring) and Andy Sinton (groin), while Robert Taylor (calf) is rated doubtful.

United are likely to make just one change to the side which drew 1-1 with Cambridge, with fit-again Jon Shepheard replacing Ian McGuckin on the left side of central defence.

Shepheard, who contained Taylor effectively in the first leg, returns after recovering from the injury which forced him to miss Cambridge.

"I thought 'Gucky' did OK, and he's got a great attitude," Lewis declared.

"In time he'll be a great asset for us but he needs a few matches."

The temptation will be there for Oxford to try to hang on to their lead, but Lewis, who has taken charge during manager Denis Smith's illness, wants the team to keep going forward.

"If we keep a clean sheet we're through, but we really feel we're going to have to attack.

"We sat back too much on Saturday. If we can get another one, then Wolves will have to get three and that's asking a lot."

Smith, who was still in hospital yesterday, hopes to be at the match.

Wolves boss Lee will again be able to call upon Carl Robinson, who was on Wales duty in Belarus at the weekend, and he was trying to get 19-year-old striker Adam Proudlock back from a loan spell at Clyde.

But he may have to start with 18-year-old striker Colin Larkin, who scored on his debut against Wycombe in this competition a year ago.