CENTRAL defender Phil Gilchrist and midfielder Paul Tait are set to return for Oxford United's historic clash with runaway Division1 leaders Sunderland at the Manor Ground tonight (6pm).

The pair are back - after serving one-match bans - for the all-ticket game which breaks new ground as it becomes the first pay-per-view clash from this country to be screened by Sky TV.

Gilchrist and Tait were both badly missed as United went down 2-1 at Ipswich last Saturday - a defeat which could have been much heavier but for Town's failure to take some great chances.

United have worked on several systems this week involving different players as they bid to avenge the 7-0 drubbing at Sunderland last September - the heaviest defeat in their history.

Manager Malcolm Shotton was giving few clues away as to his likely line-up.

But the likelihood is that Gilchrist will return in a four-man defence alongside Mark Watson, with skipper Les Robinson possibly having to settle for a place on the bench and Brian Wilsterman out in the cold. Christophe Remy, who scored his first goal for United with a cracking effort at Ipswich, has missed some training sessions this week after picking up a kick to his calf, but is expected to play.

Tait is likely to get the vote over Matt Murphy in midfield, where Nicky Banger could also feature on the left.

Goalkeeper Paul Gerrard will be playing his last game of a two-month loan spell before returning to Everton as United are not in a position to negotiate any deals - even loans - with doubts continuing to surround the future of the club.

Shotton has vivid memories of United's darkest day at the Stadium of Light, but he believes that game counts for nothing now.

"They are going to be first division champions by the look of it," he said, "but both sides have different personnel. We are looking for three points for surival and they are looking for three points for automatic promotion."

Shotton believes United fans have a big part to play as they seek to topple the leaders.

"The crowd will be a big difference. They are very important to us. Our fans can be like a 12th man on the pitch for us." Sunderland skipper Kevin Ball misses the game with a one-match ban due and his place in midfield is set to go to either Gavin McCann or Darren Williams.

Sunderland boss Peter Reid believes the Wearsiders crushing home win over Oxford could work against his side.

He said: "The fact we beat Oxford 7-0 earlier this season won't help us because they will be fired up. It will be another hard battle, but my players have been terrific in the last few weeks. They never give up a fight and I am sure they will give another good account of themselves."

Story date: Saturday 27 February

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