OXFORD United's caretaker manager Mickey Lewis is urging his players to play at a high tempo in tonight's Division 2 basement battle against Colchester United at the Manor Ground.

Lewis is naming the same team and the same squad for the clash with the division's bottom team.

Defender Steve Davis is available again after serving his one-match ban, but he is not fully fit. Striker Steve Anthrobus remains sidelined with a thigh injury and is rated touch-and-go for Sunday's derby at Reading.

In their first game under Lewis's control, against Morecambe on Saturday, United looked at their best, and were most successful, when they did things quickly.

And he's looking for the same tonight.

Lewis said: "This is a big game for us. Colchester need to win and hopefully it will be an open game."

Colchester have not won in ten games, have one of the worst defensive records in the Nationwide League and are probably down in the dumps after Swansea City scored twice in the last eight minutes to dump them out of the FA Cup on Saturday, after they led 1-0.

Their last victory was a 3-2 win over Reading in August in what was Steve Whitton's first match in charge.

Richard Wilkins, who missed the game at The Vetch Field with a thigh strain, is hoping to be fit, and he needs to be because fellow midfielder David Gregory twisted his knee on Saturday.

But Colchester are capable of scoring goals. Their Zaire striker Lomana Lua Lua is being watched by Newcastle, Manchester United and Tottenham. OXFORD supporters who travel to Sunday's match against Reading at the Madejski Stadium without buying a ticket in advance are warned to arrive early, or risk missing the kick-off.

United are currently selling seat tickets at a reduced rate of £12 adults, £7 under 16s/over 65s - and will continue to do so until 5pm on Friday.

Supporters paying on the day will pay Reading's matchday rates of £14 adults, £8 concessions. These have to be purchased from the South Stand ticket office - which has only three serving positions - before supporters queue at the turnstiles.

Story date: Tuesday 02 November

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