MICKEY Lewis plays his first game since stepping down as No 1 when Oxford United Reserves take on Bristol Rovers Res in the Avon Insurance Combination at the Manor Ground tonight.

The U's first-team coach is set to play in a side that will also contain Steve Davis, recovering from a pelvic and hamstring injury, Simon Weatherstone and Steve Anthrobus.

Weatherstone's good showing as a substitute against Blackpool has given him a strong chance of starting in Saturday's Division 2 derby at Wycombe.

There will be first chances to impress new boss Denis Smith for several players, including Ben Abbey, Jon Shepheard and Jamie Cook.

With Andre Arendse preparing for South Africa's African Nations Cup semi-final tomorrow, Derby County's on-loan keeper Richard Knight will be in goal.

Oxford Utd Res: (from) Knight, Folland, Whitehead, Davis, Shepheard, Lewis, Abbey, S Weatherstone, Anthrobus, Cook, Ricketts, Hamp, Jemmott.

Story date: Wednesday 09 February

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