MALCOLM Shotton faces a tricky selection poser as Oxford United bid to return to winning ways against Sheffield United at the Manor tomorrow.

United's boss has to decide what to do with key defender Phil Gilchrist suspended - and whether to bring back one or both of his flank players, Joey Beauchamp and Paul Powell.

In the last two away games, the U's played with three centre backs and wingbacks, so with Gilchrist missing, Shotton could simply revert to a 4-4-2.

But Phil Whelan and Brian Wilsterman have only played once before together as a centre back pairing, in the 3-3 draw with Ipswich.

If the manager feels he wants extra defensive cover, he could slot Les Robinson into the middle to make it a three-man central defence again, but then he would have to lose a midfielder.

And while it's been a regular feature to have both Beauchamp and Powell playing at the Manor, neither started this week's away games at Bolton and Bury.

So what's it to be - four at the back or wingbacks?

"We'll work at both systems on Friday morning and see what looks best," Shotton said last night. "We've got to get back to scoring goals. As a team we played very well at Bury and although it was disappointing not to get the three points, I'd be more worried if we weren't creating chances."

Shotton's final decision on his team could be influenced by who is fit, because strikers Andy Thomson (thigh strain) and Dean Windass (knee), and midfielder David Smith (groin muscle) all missed training yesterday, along with Christophe Remy, who has not recovered from the kick on the kneecap he received at Bolton.

Thomson and Windass should play, Windass following another injection, but Smith is rated only 50-50.

Nicky Banger could get a place on the bench after playing for the reserves against Tottenham on Wednesday.

Sheffield United's team is also in a state of flux with several players injured, among them former Oxford midfielder Bob Ford. Player-manager Steve Bruce and the giant Greek midfielder Traianos Dellas returned from suspension this week, but both look likely to be subs.

Blades' front pairing will probably be ex-U's striker Dean Saunders and Belarus intenational Petr Katchouro.

Youngster Curtis Woodhouse was injured in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Stockport and Ian Hamilton looks set to take his place, giving Sheffield two Hamiltons because they also have Des, on loan from Newcastle.

"I know Brucey ever so well," said Shotton. "He'll get them organsied. They can afford to have half a dozen injured with the squad they've got."

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